Diontae Johnson Seeks Redemption Against Browns After Turbulent Season

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson expressed his desire to “change the narrative” about his performance after a 2024 season filled with ups and downs, in which he played for the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans. After leading the Panthers with 30 receptions and 357 yards in the first two months of the season, Johnson was traded to the Ravens. With the Ravens, he only managed one reception and six yards, in addition to a suspension for refusing to play in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. After being released by Baltimore, Johnson was claimed by the Texans, where he achieved two receptions for 12 yards in a game. Subsequently, he was released by the Texans after visibly showing annoyance after playing 15 plays in a playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Although Johnson avoided going into details about what happened last season, his comments mark his first public statement on the matter.

I don’t want to talk much about the subject. Everyone will have their opinions, you know? At the end of the day, I’m the only one in that room who really knows what’s going on. They are entitled to their opinion, so I can only go by what I know and then try to do my best. But as I said, last year is last year. I’m trying to change that narrative and move forward the right way.
Diontae Johnson

At the end of April, the Browns signed 28-year-old Johnson to a one-year contract for the veteran minimum ($1.17 million), with no guaranteed money. Johnson noted that the Browns were the only team that approached him in free agency before signing. Cleveland has a great need for a receiver to complement Jerry Jeudy, who was selected for his first Pro Bowl last season. Jeudy and Johnson are the only receivers on the Browns’ roster who have achieved at least 50 receptions in a season. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he had a “good conversation” with Johnson after the team signed him.

Diontae is doing a good job. Obviously, catching up with the terminology and that kind of thing, and I think we’ll keep working. But it’s good to have him here.
Kevin Stefanski

Selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft, Johnson amassed 391 receptions for 4,363 yards and 25 touchdowns with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2021, achieving his only 1,000-yard season and a maximum of eight touchdown receptions in the last year of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.