Diontae Johnson isn’t off to a good start in his stint with the Cleveland Browns. After signing with the team as a free agent this offseason, Johnson has decided to skip the OTAs.
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Johnson, who was drafted by the Steelers in 2019, posted a 1,100-yard season with the team in 2021. However, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers during the 2024 offseason following dissatisfaction in Pittsburgh. His stint in Carolina was also marked by discontent, prompting the Panthers to deal him to the Baltimore Ravens at the trade deadline.
However, Johnson grew unhappy with his role in Baltimore as well, even refusing to enter a game, leading to his release. The wide receiver-needy Houston Texans then signed him, but similar issues with Johnson’s attitude surfaced, and he was waived once again. With a tainted resume, one would assume he would want to make a good impression on his new employers.
But that doesn’t seem to be the case. Many in Cleveland were more than a little shocked at the 28-year-old skipping out on the valuable practice sessions. On The Dawgs – A Cleveland Browns Podcast, the hosts picked Johnson as the most ‘intriguing’ name absent from OTAs.
Kenny Mac questioned why Johnson missed OTAs while being on a one-year prove-it deal with a new team.
“The guy I’m more concerned about is and it’s one of our weakest positions, and it’s Diontae Johnson,” said Mac. “You’re coming in new and you have a one-year contract, a prove-it contract, and you’re not there, that just boggles my mind.”
Josh Aul also thought it didn’t make any sense for Johnson to miss practice when he could be cut at any time without it affecting the Browns. “It makes no sense, you’re on a vet minimum, you can be chopped, cut, and sealed away for nothing,” he said.
While it’s a big deal for some players to miss OTAs, it isn’t the case as much for others. Younger players, rookies, and players looking to prove it or make the roster, such as Johnson, should be present for OTAs. However, since it is voluntary, there is no imposition.
It isn’t as much of a deal for players such as veterans and stars to miss OTAs, especially if they’re already locked up on a long-term contract. Myles Garrett, for instance, skipped.
The members of The Dawgs weren’t so upset about Garrett missing OTAs. Mac even suggested that Garrett should be away from the practices to allow for younger players to get more practice.
Justin Charles agreed with Mac, saying that younger guys should get more reps and that he has no worries about what Garrett’s abilities will be in prime form in Week 1.
