CLEVELAND — As the start of the NFL's 2023 league year approaches, it appears that the Cleveland Browns will be parting ways with a key player on their defense.
As first reported by Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network, the Browns are preparing to release John Johnson III. Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry confirmed the decision while speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
A once highly touted free agent signing for Cleveland, Johnson was entering the third and final year of the $33.75 million contract he signed with the Browns in 2021. Despite his status as one of the top free-agent safeties on the market two years ago, the Boston College product largely failed to live up to expectations in his two seasons in Cleveland, totaling 162 tackles, nine pass defenses, four interceptions and three forced fumbles in 32 games, as well as a Pro Football Focus score of 62.8 during the 2022 season.
That Cleveland would be looking to make a move in its secondary doesn't come as much of a surprise, after the team fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods following a disappointing 2022 campaign that saw the Browns total a 7-10 record. Hiring former Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz as Woods' replacement, Cleveland will likely look to acquire a single-high coverage safety to pair alongside third-year safety Grant Delpit in its secondary.
Should the Browns release Johnson with a post-June 1 designation, they would save $9.75 million in cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. Cleveland is currently more than $13 million over the salary cap, with the new league year set to begin on March 15.