Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson is coming off a tumultuous season. Now that the dust has settled, Johnson is ready to reveal what happened.
Diontae Johnson Explains Rocky 2024 Season
former ravens wr diontae johnson opened up about what went wrong last year in baltimore.
johnson says he checked out mentally and refused to enter the eagles game because he was cold and didn’t want to put out bad film.
🎥: sports and suits podcast pic.twitter.com/P1LOGzTrVK
— Alex Glaze (@Alex_Glaze) June 24, 2025
To say Johnson had a rocky 2024 would be an understatement.
The veteran wide receiver began his 2024 campaign with the Carolina Panthers. Johnson recorded 30 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns in seven games.
Before the trade deadline, Johnson was acquired by the Baltimore Ravens for a 2025 fifth-round pick.
Johnson struggled significantly in Baltimore, snagging one catch in four games. Johnson’s tenure was clouded in controversy after refusing to enter Week 13’s game against the Eagles.
The Ravens suspended Johnson for one game. After the suspension, the Ravens waived Johnson.
The Houston Texans claimed Johnson off waivers, but the wide receiver only lasted two games before being cut. The Ravens then claimed Johnson in January, though he never played a snap in his second stint.
Johnson recently appeared on the Sport and Suits podcast and spoke about what went wrong in Baltimore. Johnson said he “checked out mentally,” which is why he did not enter the Week 13 game.
“I wasn’t getting into like no run plays, no like passing plays,” Johnson said. “No nothing. It was cold. I’m on the sideline just standing there like just going to the heater back and forth just waiting to hear my name called. End of third, going into the fourth they’re like ‘Tay, we need you.’ I’m like, ‘Nah, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me.’ Like I was already thinking about my legs, I don’t want to go out there and put bad stuff on film. It’s not like I didn’t want to go into the game, but leading up to this point, I’d already been through so much.”
Diontae Johnson Talks About Signing With The Cleveland Browns
#Browns Diontae Johnson on his opportunity with the Browns pic.twitter.com/SjR9ILWdfJ
— Fred Greetham (@FredGreetham9) June 11, 2025
Johnson has a shot at NFL redemption with the Cleveland Browns, who signed the receiver to a one-year deal.
Who will be throwing balls to Johnson when the season begins in September? The Browns have four quarterbacks on their roster: Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders.
On the same podcast, Johnson made a surprising admission as to which quarterback he thinks will win the job.
“I think they are going to roll with Kenny for right now,” Johnson said.
Pickett’s experience with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles is why Johnson believes he’ll get the nod as QB1.
“I’ve been seeing Kenny going like right now with the ones. Then Joe will come in,” Johnson said. “I think they are probably going to roll with him just to see like he’s coming off a season with Philly and having a Super Bowl. So, I think they are going to stick with him through the preseason. Then you know they can live with Joe and what he brings to the table.”
The Browns face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
