Browns sign Zion Johnson, lose Devin Bush

    The Cleveland Browns' rebuilding of their offensive line continued on the first day of free agency with the signing of guard Zion Johnson to a three-year contract worth 49.5 million, $32.4 million guaranteed.

Johnson spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers after the Chargers selected him in the first round of the 2022 draft from Boston College.

Johnson played every snap for the Chargers last season except in the final game, when all starters were rested, so he's durable.

Johnson also excels in run blocking, but has struggled in pass protection, the inverse of the Browns' other veteran addition to the line, tackle Tytus Howard.

Johnson's fifth-year option wasn't picked up by the Chargers before last season, and he responded with the best season of his career, so this isn't the case of a player needing a second chance.

Johnson played left guard last season, but has played both guard positions, which could allow for the return of Joel Bitonio, should he decide to play one more season.

It's a bit of an overpay, as it usually is when teams need starting offensive linemen through free agency, but Johnson seems to be a player on the upswing.

Meanwhile, the Browns had hoped to keep linebacker Devin Bush, but the veteran signed with the Chicago Bears.

The three-year contract is valued at thirty million dollars, and while keeping Bush would have been nice, I don't blame the Browns here.

While Bush had the best season of his career last season with three interceptions (Two returned for touchdowns), two sacks, and over one hundred tackles, Bush has had off-the-field issues, and while the Browns have stated that they will play the same defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg as they did under Jim Schwartz, it's only natural to figure that some small changes (at least) are in store.

When a player such as Devin Bush excels in one system and has been pedestrian in others, I'm always hesitant to count on the same production when the coordinator changes.

Cleveland could take a linebacker on day three in the draft, sign a veteran in need of a new start (as was the case with Devin Bush), or they could attempt to re-sign veteran Jerome Baker and give him a chance to replace Bush.