Browns general manager Andrew Berry said Tuesday that Johnson will be released, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.
Johnson was entering the final year of his contract, and the Browns will be able to save $9.75 million by letting him go prior to June 1. The veteran safety recorded 101 tackles, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and a half-sack across 17 appearances in 2022. He should draw heavy interest from numerous teams in need of safety help this offseason.
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Browns' John Johnson: Logs five stops in finale
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Johnson recorded five tackles in a 28-14 loss to the Steelers in Week 18.
Johnson ended his second season with the Browns with one interception and 101 tackles, second most behind fellow safety Grant Delpit (105). The Browns' defense was the subject of discussion following losses, some of which featured breakdowns on the back end. As a result of those issues, the Browns fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods. Johnson, who has one year left on his deal, is expected to return next season but much depends on the new DC.
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Browns' John Johnson: Gets green light
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Johnson (thigh) is good to go for Saturday's Christmas Eve matchup against the Saints.
Johnson figures to be in line for a full workload assuming he avoids any setbacks. If that were to happen, D'Anthony Bell would presumably replace him at free safety.
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Browns' John Johnson: Tagged as questionable
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Johnson (thigh) is considered questionable to play Saturday against the Saints, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Johnson picked up a thigh contusion during the Browns' win over Baltimore on Saturday. He was then limited in practice Tuesday before he took a step back with a DNP during Wednesday's session. Johnson has logged 81 tackles, four passes defended, an interception, and a pair of fumbles forced and recovered apiece while appearing in every game for Cleveland this season. In his possible absence, expect D'Anthony Bell and/or Ronnie Harrison to see increased playing time versus New Orleans.
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Browns' John Johnson: Picks up injury in win
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Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said that Johnson sustained a thigh contusion during Saturday's 13-3 win over the Ravens, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
Johnson was presumably limited to a season-low 75 percent of his team's defensive snaps due to this issue Saturday. Nevertheless, the sixth-year safety still collected his second-most tackles in a game this season with nine, and he now ranks second on the Browns in tackles (81) behind fellow safety Grant Delpit (88). Johnson's participation level in practice Tuesday should provide more clarity on his status heading into next Saturday's game against New Orleans.
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Browns' John Johnson: Sheds injury designation
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Johnson (knee) was a full participant at practice Thursday, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.
Johnson started his week limited before downgrading to a DNP on Wednesday. However, it appears the day off did Johnson well, and he should be good to go Saturday against the Ravens.
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Browns' John Johnson: Continues steady production
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Johnson recorded eight tackles (six solo) in Sunday's 23-10 loss to the Bengals.
Johnson's eight total tackles brings him to 72 on the season. He also suffered a knee injury at some point during the game, which has him on the team's injury report Monday. He is currently considered questionable for Saturday's game with the Ravens.
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Browns' John Johnson: Leading tackler Sunday
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Johnson recorded seven tackles (four solo) and a half-sack during the Browns' season-opening win against the Panthers on Sunday.
Johnson finished as Cleveland's top tackler as he played all but one of the team's defensive snaps against Carolina. The starting free safety also played 25 percent of the team's snaps on special teams (eight). This heavy usage should give Johnson a good chance to lead the Browns in tackles during the 2022 campaign.
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Browns' John Johnson: Tackling numbers fall to earth
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Johnson notched 61 tackles (37 solo), a half-sack, five pass breakups, three interceptions and one forced fumble across 15 games in 2021.
Johnson didn't come close to matching last season's performance of triple-digit tackles, though he did provide a notable boost to Cleveland's secondary and come within striking distance of his career-high interception tally. He stands to reprise his role as Cleveland's starting free safety during the 2022 season, after which the team will have a potential 'out' from his contract.
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Browns' John Johnson: Ruled out for Week 16
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Johnson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday's Christmas Day matchup with the Packers, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram reports.
The safety suffered the hamstring injury in Monday's loss to the Raiders, and after being deemed day-to-day earlier in the week, he will ultimately be unavailable Saturday. With Johnson on the shelf, M.J. Stewart will likely step into a starting spot against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Week 16.
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Browns' John Johnson: Productive against Ravens
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Johnson logged seven tackles (six solo) and half a sack in Sunday's 24-22 win over the Ravens.
Johnson has now played 100 percent of the Browns' defensive snaps in each of the last five games, and he has three consecutive appearances with at least six tackles. Across the last five games, the 2017 third-rounder has totaled 26 tackles (20 solo), two interceptions, a forced fumble and half a sack.
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Browns' John Johnson: Does it all in loss
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Johnson tallied seven tackles (four solo) while also intercepting one pass in Sunday's 16-10 loss against the Ravens.
Johnson intercepted his third pass of the season and his second in his last four games. The Browns safety has also tallied seven tackles in each of his last two games. Johnson is not on the same tackling pace as he was last season with the Rams, however, he has seemingly solidified a young secondary, and he may be able to surpass his career high in interceptions.
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Browns' John Johnson: Chooses Cleveland as next home
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Johnson agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million contract with the Browns on Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Johnson had numerous teams after him but ultimately chose to sign with the Browns, who will pay him $24 million in guaranteed money on the deal. He topped 100 tackles for the second time in the past three seasons with the Rams in 2020 and should be an impact starter at strong safety with Cleveland.
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Rams' John Johnson: Strong season continues
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Johnson recorded nine tackles (eight solo) during Sunday's 38-28 win over Arizona.
The fourth-year free safety is having an excellent season with 83 tackles (56 solo), eight passes defensed and an interception. Johnson can be started confidently week in, week out in most IDP settings.
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Rams' John Johnson: Registers 13 tackles in loss
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Johnson finished with 13 tackles (five solo) in Sunday's matchup against the 49ers.
Johnson's previous best for tackles in a game this season was 10, but he set a new mark in Week 6. He's secured 46 tackles and has picked off a pass through six contests in 2020.
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Rams' John Johnson: Continues strong play
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Johnson secured six tackles (five solo), including two for a loss, during Sunday's 17-9 win over the Giants.
The fourth-year starter has quickly reestablished himself as an excellent fantasy option after sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury and playing just six games last year. Johnson projects to continuing playing nearly every defensive snap and providing reliable weekly tackle totals.
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Rams' John Johnson: Progressing in recovery
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Coach Sean McVay said Johnson (shoulder) is "making good progress," Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site reports.
Johnson compiled 51 tackles (24 solo), two defended passes and two interceptions across six games in 2019 before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury Week 6. Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, the 24-year-old will focus on making a full recovery in time to kick off the 2020 campaign. In the wake of Eric Weddle's retirement, Johnson will be counted on as a regular starter in Los Angeles' secondary.
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Rams' John Johnson: Set for more tests
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Johnson will undergo additional testing on his shoulder, and he may be out indefinitely, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
The Rams don't appear optimistic about Johnson's chances of playing anytime soon considering they don't even expect a specific timeline for his return. It seems unlikely Johnson plays Sunday against the Falcons. That would downgrade the Rams' defense, as Johnson has 51 tackles and two picks through six games. Taylor Rapp is the next man up at strong safety.
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Rams' John Johnson: Another interception Sunday
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Johnson recorded nine tackles (two solo) and an interception across 72 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Browns.
Johnson now has an interception in back-to-back weeks. The third year pro sealed a victory for the Rams with a pick in the end zone as time wound down and the Browns knocking on the door. He also led the Rams in tackles, playing every defensive snap in the contest. There's a good chance the safety's interception streak could continue next week against Jameis Winston, who's already thrown four picks through three games.
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Rams' John Johnson: Snags INT in Week 2
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Johnson made six tackles (four solo) and an interception in Sunday's win over the Saints.
Johnson continues to be used heavily on defense, playing 63 of 65 possible defensive snaps and looking good in coverage. The third-year pro has solid IDP upside after piling up 119 tackles and 11 pass breakups last year, and he's setting himself up for similar numbers in this campaign. Johnson has a good chance to continue this trend in Week 3 against the Browns, as Baker Mayfield has thrown four interceptions through two games.
