Cleveland Browns’ first big free agency addition may have just put writing on the wall for a Pro Bowler’s retirement
The Browns are on the board with a free agency signing, but it could mean their longest tenured player is hanging it up.
NFL free agency kicked off at noon ET on Monday and it took the Browns about three hours for their first signing to come through.
Cleveland’s biggest need is along the offensive line with all five starters from last year’s team set to hit free agency. The Browns just filled one of those needs with the latest news around the team.
Browns signing a left guard could mean the end for LG Joel Bitonio
One of the biggest question marks for the Browns is whether or not Bitonio will retire. The first signing of free agency for the Browns may have tipped the cap. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Browns have signed former Los Angeles Chargers LG Zion Johnson to a three-year deal worth $49.5 million with $32.4 million guaranteed.
Johnson has played the last three years as a left guard only after spending his rookie season as a right guard. Unless the Browns plan to switch Johnson back to right guard, this could signal the end for Bitonio.
“Johnson has struggled badly in pass protection so far in the NFL, but his run blocking has been a clear strength. He is another young offensive lineman with room to grow, but it is difficult to see him as a full-time starter due to his lackluster pass protection performances so far.
That being said, 2025 was a bit misleading for the interior of the Bolts because they were without their cornerstone offensive tackles in Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. That made life much more difficult on theur guards. A fresh start for Johnson could help him improve going forward. Johnson recorded a 57 overall blocking grade via Pro Football Focus last season.” — Adam Holt, A to Z Sports
Where did Zion Johnson rank in the A to Z Sports’ top-100 free agents?
The skinny: Johnson arguably had the best year of his career in 2025, but even then it was middling, at its highest point. He’s still got the athleticism and movement skills that made him the 17th overall pick back in 2022, but he’s clearly best suited for a backup role, at this point. Still, he’d be a highly valued backup who is more effective than most, so that’s a win, for the most part. –Evan Winter, A to Z Sports
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