The Cleveland Browns invested significant time and effort into rebuilding their offensive line ahead of the 2026 season. With several key veterans approaching free agency and longtime anchor Joel Bitonio possibly heading toward retirement, the team knew changes were inevitable.
When the moment arrived to act, Cleveland moved with surprising speed and decisiveness.
In the days leading up to free agency, the Browns pulled off a trade for established right tackle Tytus Howard. Once the market opened, they followed up by securing two prominent interior linemen in quick succession: Elgton Jenkins and Zion Johnson. These additions formed the foundation of their refreshed unit.
To further bolster the group, Cleveland used its first-round draft selection on Spencer Fano, projected to step in as the new left tackle. The team also brought in Austin Barber to compete for the swing tackle position and Parker Brailsford to challenge at center. By the end of the process, the Browns had assembled an entirely new look along the offensive front.
While many of these acquisitions have drawn positive reviews, one transaction continues to generate considerable debate among analysts. The four-year, $49.5 million deal awarded to guard Zion Johnson has emerged as a particular point of scrutiny, especially given his modest performance metrics from the previous campaign.
Johnson received a 56.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025, placing him 52nd among 77 qualified guards league-wide. For context, backup guard Teven Jenkins, who re-signed with Cleveland on a modest one-year, $4 million contract, earned a much stronger 77.7 mark from the same service.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, in his breakdown of the best and worst offseason moves across the AFC, praised the Browns for addressing weaknesses on the line and at wide receiver. However, he singled out the Johnson contract as the team’s most questionable decision of the period.
“Cleveland gave the former first-round pick $32.4 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, suggesting that it sees Johnson as a potential building block on the interior of its offensive line. Though 2025 was Johnson’s best season as a pro, that might be damning him with faint praise. … He gave up seven sacks and 19 quick pressures a year ago, both of which were the most of any Chargers lineman,” Barnwell wrote.
The analyst highlighted that the Browns committed substantial money to Johnson despite limited evidence of elite production at the professional level. Barnwell expressed skepticism about betting on potential rather than proven consistency.
He added: “The Browns are paying Johnson to be a player he hasn’t been yet at the pro level and hoping that he lives up to their expectations. That’s not typically a good strategy.”
This perspective appears to be shared by several evaluators. Pro Football Focus had projected a four-year, $51 million deal for Johnson, while Spotrac estimated his market value closer to $11 million annually over three seasons. Additionally, PFF ranked him as the No. 178 overall free agent and only the 13th-best guard available, placing him behind former Browns lineman Wyatt Teller, who signed a more modest two-year, $16 million pact with the Texans.
Despite the concerns, the contract includes some structural protections for Cleveland. A significant portion—more than $16 million—is allocated to void years between 2029 and 2032. This arrangement helps moderate Johnson’s cap impact during the critical early seasons of the deal.
Overall, the Browns’ comprehensive remaking of the offensive line reflects a clear commitment to protecting their quarterback and establishing a stronger run game. Whether the investment in Johnson pays off could ultimately determine how this rebuild is remembered in the coming years.
As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on whether the new unit can exceed expectations or if the skepticism around the highest-profile signing proves justified.
