Browns WR Diontae Johnson Tips Hand on QB Battle Winner

New Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson isn’t shying away from sharing his take on the team’s much-discussed quarterback competition.

As the Browns work through offseason workouts, Johnson, who arrived in Cleveland via trade this offseason, offered his insight into who might lead the offense come Week 1.

“I think [the Browns] are gonna roll with Kenny [Pickett] right now,” Johnson said on the “Sports & Suits” podcast. “I’ve been seeing Kenny, right now, with the ones — and then Joe [Flacco] will come in. I think they’re probably gonna roll with [Pickett], just like to see — coming off the season he was with Philly and having a Super Bowl.”

The two are familiar with each other from their time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Johnson was one of Pickett’s top targets before both players found new homes in Cleveland.

“Being able to play with Tae for a couple years in Pittsburgh, now we’re teammates again, I think that’s awesome,” Pickett said in May. “You know, his route running ability, his ability to separate, I think, you know, drop his weight in and out of routes, you know, it’s special. So, you know, I’m excited to get back out there with him.”

Pickett is vying for the starting job in what has shaped up to be one of the most wide-open quarterback battles in the NFL. The Browns brought in the 27-year-old via trade this offseason, adding him to a group that also features veteran Joe Flacco and rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

Browns Have Not Hinted at QB Decision

The Browns have been deliberate in managing their quarterback competition, with head coach Kevin Stefanski emphasizing the team’s desire to let things play out rather than rush into a decision.

“We’re so far away from that type of thought process,” Stefanski said when asked about name a starting quarterback. “Honestly, it’s a – we’re in our installation phase. It’s the off season, it’s OTAs, so we’re going to keep the focus there. Once you get into training camp, of course you’re getting ready to play games and ultimately getting ready for playing the season. But right now that’s not our focus.”

With four quarterbacks on the roster, some speculation has swirled about the Browns trading or cutting one of the passers. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently questioned Pickett’s chances, saying the former first-rounder could be on the outside looking in.

“Talent-wise, I think both those [rookies] have a huge advantage over Kenny Pickett,” Jeremiah said. “Kenny Pickett has to be light years better than each of them to make the team.”

Diontae Johnson Has Final Shot With Browns

The Browns signed Johnson this offseason, adding the polarizing former Pro Bowler on a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum ($1.17 million).

Johnson is coming off a turbulent 2024 campaign. After being traded from the Steelers to the Carolina Panthers in March, he appeared in seven games for Carolina before being dealt to the Baltimore Ravens. His stint in Baltimore ended abruptly when he refused to enter a game, leading to his release. The Houston Texans later claimed him off waivers.

Johnson wrapped up the season with 33 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns. Thirty of those receptions came during his time with the Panthers. Now in Cleveland, he’s determined to “change the narrative” and make the most of what could be his final shot to revive his career.

“I don’t want to speak on a lot of stuff,” Johnson said. “Everybody’s going to have their opinions, you know what I’m saying? So at the end of the day, I’m the only one in that room that really know what’s going on. They’re entitled to their own opinion, so I can only go off of what I know and then try to go off what I put out there and my best effort. But like I said, last year is last year. I’m trying to change that narrative and move the right way and keep going.”

Johnson joins a wide receiver room that is headlined by Jerry Jeudy but certainly has space for him to make an impact.