Browns to agree to $49.5 million contract with Chargers' offensive guard

Mar 09, 2026 - 19:25

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Browns to agree to $49.5 million contract with Chargers' offensive guard originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Cleveland Browns entered the 2026 offseason with a major need at wide receiver, but an even bigger need along the offensive line.

Essentially, the entire line is hitting free agency, and the Browns need to complete a major overhaul. They've added Tytus Howard on a trade with the Houston Texans, and now are looking to address the interior of the line.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Browns are in agreement with former Los Angeles Chargers offensive guard Zion Johnson on a huge $49.5 million contract over the next three seasons.

Browns to sign Zion Johnson on $49.5M deal

"Former Chargers G Zion Johnson reached agreement today on a three-year, $49.5 million deal, including $32.4 million guaranteed with the Cleveland Browns, per his agents Alan German and Jared Fox," Schefter reports.

Johnson is a 26-year-old offensive lineman who was a former 2022 first-round pick by the Chargers. He has started 65 games the last four years, and will now come to Cleveland to help completely rework their offensive line.

Johnson has been a solid starter for the Chargers, and now is heading to the Browns on a three-year deal. This $49.5 million contract is worth $16.5 million per-season.

More: Browns trade for offensive tackle Tytus Howard from Texans

It's another big investment along the offensive line, with Howard and Johnson now making up 40% of the Browns' needed additions along the offensive line.

Johnson will help better protect Sanders, or whoever the starting quarterback is in 2026. After a rough 2025 season from their offensive line, the Browns are hoping for Johnson to be a top offensive lineman with this big signing.

This is a bit of a risk, especially with how much the Chargers' offensive line struggled last season.

But, hopefully for the Browns, with their revamped offensive line, they can have a great season with Johnson and Howard as parts of their new-look OL in 2026 and beyond.