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Browns NFL free agency: How Zion Johnson fits with new HC Todd Monken
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- Browns NFL free agency: How Zion Johnson fits with new HC Todd Monken
The Cleveland Browns , after a horrific 2025-26 season filled with ups and downs, are now slowly beginning to build up the roster during the 2026 NFL Free Agency period.
Unfortunately for general manager Andrew Berry and the rest of the front office, Cleveland was unable to land former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum on Monday, as the star lineman signed a three-year, $81 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders .
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Linderbaum was previously linked to the Browns due to his connection with newly-hired head coach Todd Monken, but the massive deal from the Raiders was too much for Berry and company.
However, this did not stop Cleveland from making any significant moves on the first day of the legal tampering period. According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Browns have agreed to a three-year, $32.4 million deal with former Los Angeles Chargers guard Zion Johnson , making him the first free agent to sign with the organization this offseason.
How Johnson Fits in Cleveland
Johnson, a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, has been a key piece of the Chargers' offensive line throughout the past four seasons in the NFL. As a rookie, Johnson began his time with Los Angeles as the team's right guard, playing 1,254 total snaps in 2022. But with all the injuries on the Chargers' front line, the former Boston College guard spent the last three seasons at the left guard position.
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While many believed that Johnson could be an automatic plug-and-play interior offensive lineman straight out of college, his consistency on a weekly basis has prevented him from living up to the high expectations set upon him before his rookie season.
During his four-year stint with the Chargers, Johnson has allowed a total of 84 quarterback hurries and 21 sacks, according to PFF . At times, the 26-year-old has shown flashes of being a terrific run blocker, but his struggles in pass protection should be noted heading into 2026 and beyond.
Now, with all the moves surrounding the Browns' offensive line this offseason, Johnson projects to be the team's left guard for next season. Luckily for Berry, Johnson's ability to play at either guard position should be beneficial for Cleveland, as his flexiblity to play right and left guard will be significant when looking at the 2026 NFL Draft.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL free agency: How Zion Johnson fits with new HC Todd Monken
