Zion Johnson

Cleveland Browns, Guard

Age: 26y-4m-5d (Nov 18, 1999)

Exp: 4 Years

Country: US

College: Boston College

Drafted: Round 1 (#17 overall), 2022

Agent(s): Jared Fox, Alan Herman (SportStars)

2026 Cap Hit

$5,145,000

2026 Cash

$18,825,000

Career Earnings

$14,755,500

2026-2028 Free Agent (CURRENT)

Zion Johnson signed a 3 year, $49,500,000 contract with the Cleveland Browns, including $17,000,000 signing bonus, $32,390,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,500,000. In 2026, Johnson will earn a base salary of $1,215,000, a signing bonus of $17,000,000 and a restructure bonus of $100,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,145,000 and a dead cap value of $32,490,000.

Contract Terms:

3 yr(s) / $49,500,000

Average Salary:

$16,500,000

Signing Bonus:

$17,000,000

GTD at Sign:

$32,390,000

Total GTD:

$32,390,000

Free Agent:

2029 / UFA

MANAGE CONTRACT

Year	Age	Status	Cap HitAnnual	Cap % League Cap	Cash Annual	Cash Cumulative	Dead Cap Annual
2026	27		$5,145,000	1.71%	$18,825,000	$18,825,000	$32,490,000
2027	28		$7,751,000	2.40%	$14,175,000	$33,000,000	$27,245,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 2 YR, $33,000,000; $10,260,000 DEAD CAP
2028	29		$13,113,000	3.69%	$16,500,000	$49,500,000	$10,260,000
2029	30	Void UFA	$8,198,000	2.19%	-	$49,500,000	$6,840,000
2030		Void	$8,198,000	2.06%	-	$49,500,000	-
2031		Void	$4,778,000	1.10%	-	$49,500,000	-
2032		Void	$2,317,000	-	-	$49,500,000	-

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Proration	Restructure Proration	Roster Bonus	Active/GM Roster Bonus	Option Proration	Workout Bonus	Cap Hit	Cap % League	Dead Cap
2026	27		$1,215,000	$3,400,000	$20,000	-	$510,000	-	-	$5,145,000	1.71%	$32,490,000	2026 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $32,490,000 2026 Savings: $-27,345,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $17,100,000 2026 Savings: $-11,955,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2026 Dead Cap: $18,810,000 2027 Dead Cap: $13,680,000 2026 Savings: $-13,665,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2026 Dead Cap: $18,810,000 2027 Dead Cap: $13,680,000 2026 Savings: $-13,665,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2026 Dead Cap: $3,420,000 2027 Dead Cap: $13,680,000 2026 Savings: $1,725,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2027	28		$1,260,000	$3,400,000	$20,000	-	$510,000	$2,461,000	$100,000	$7,751,000	2.40%	$27,245,000	2027 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $27,245,000 2027 Savings: $-19,494,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $13,680,000 2027 Savings: $-5,929,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2027 Dead Cap: $16,985,000 2028 Dead Cap: $10,260,000 2027 Savings: $-9,234,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2027 Dead Cap: $16,985,000 2028 Dead Cap: $10,260,000 2027 Savings: $-9,234,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2027 Dead Cap: $3,420,000 2028 Dead Cap: $10,260,000 2027 Savings: $4,331,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 2 YR, $33,000,000; $10,260,000 DEAD CAP
2028	29		$1,305,000	$3,400,000	$20,000	$3,000,000	$510,000	$4,778,000	$100,000	$13,113,000	3.69%	$10,260,000	2028 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $10,260,000 2028 Savings: $2,853,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $10,260,000 2028 Savings: $2,853,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2028 Dead Cap: $3,420,000 2029 Dead Cap: $6,840,000 2028 Savings: $9,693,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2028 Dead Cap: $3,420,000 2029 Dead Cap: $6,840,000 2028 Savings: $9,693,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2028 Dead Cap: $3,420,000 2029 Dead Cap: $6,840,000 2028 Savings: $9,693,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2029	30	Void UFA	-	$3,400,000	$20,000	-	-	$4,778,000	-	$8,198,000	2.19%	$6,840,000	2029 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $6,840,000 2029 Savings: $1,358,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $6,840,000 2029 Savings: $1,358,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $6,840,000 2029 Savings: $8,198,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $6,840,000 2029 Savings: $8,198,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2029 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Dead Cap: $6,840,000 2029 Savings: $8,198,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2030		Void	-	$3,400,000	$20,000	-	-	$4,778,000	-	$8,198,000	2.06%	-	2030 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $8,198,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $8,198,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $8,198,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $8,198,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2030 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2030 Savings: $8,198,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2031		Void	-	-	-	-	-	$4,778,000	-	$4,778,000	1.10%	-	2031 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Savings: $4,778,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Savings: $4,778,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2032 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Savings: $4,778,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2032 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Savings: $4,778,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2031 Dead Cap: $0 2032 Dead Cap: $0 2031 Savings: $4,778,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.
2032		Void	-	-	-	-	-	$2,317,000	-	$2,317,000	-	-	2032 Release/Trade PRE-6/1 RELEASE 2032 Dead Cap: $0 2032 Savings: $2,317,000 PRE-6/1 TRADE 2032 Dead Cap: $0 2032 Savings: $2,317,000 What is a Pre-6/1 Release or Trade? When a player is released or traded before June 1st, all of the dead cap remaining on his contract (including any guaranteed salary) accelerates into the current year. JUNE 1ST DESIGNATION 2032 Dead Cap: $0 2033 Dead Cap: $0 2032 Savings: $2,317,000 What is a June 1st Designation? When a player is designated as a Post June 1st release, their full cap hit must remain on the books until 6/1, after which the dead cap is split across the current and following season. The player becomes a free agent immediately however. POST-6/1 RELEASE 2032 Dead Cap: $0 2033 Dead Cap: $0 2032 Savings: $2,317,000 POST-6/1 TRADE 2032 Dead Cap: $0 2033 Dead Cap: $0 2032 Savings: $2,317,000 What is a Post-6/1 Release or Trade? When a release or trade is processed after June 1st (including a Post June 1st Designation transaction), the remaining dead cap on the contract is allowed to split across the current year & the following year. Dead cap that is directly associated with the current year plus all future guaranteed salary remains as current year dead cap, while the remaining future year dead cap is allocated to the following season.

Year	Age	Status	Base P5 Salary	Signing Bonus	Restructure Bonus	Roster Bonus	Active/Gm Roster Bonus	Option Bonus	Workout Bonus	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative	Cash Remaining
2026	27		$1,215,000	$17,000,000	$100,000	-	$510,000	-	-	$18,825,000	$18,825,000	$49,500,000
2027	28		$1,260,000	-	-	-	$510,000	$12,305,000	$100,000	$14,175,000	$33,000,000	$30,675,000
POTENTIAL OUT: 2028, 2 YR, $33,000,000; $10,260,000 DEAD CAP
2028	29		$1,305,000	-	-	$3,000,000	$510,000	$11,585,000	$100,000	$16,500,000	$49,500,000	$16,500,000
2029	30	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$49,500,000	-
2030	31	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$49,500,000	-
2031	32	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$49,500,000	-
2032	33	Void	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	$49,500,000	-

Contract Notes

$32.39M guaranteed (signing bonus + 2026 salary + 2027 salary)
2027 Option Bonus: $12.305M
2028 Roster Bonus: $3M (3rd league day of 2028)
Per Game Active Bonus: $30,000 ($510,000)
Playoffs/Honors Incentives/Escalators

Source: NFL contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2022-2025 Rookie

Contract Terms:

4 yr(s) / $14,746,678

Average Salary:

$3,686,670

Signing Bonus:

$7,904,856

GTD at Sign:

$14,746,678

Total GTD:

$14,746,678

Free Agent:

2026 / UFA

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Seasons

4 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$14,755,500

Earnings w/ Different Teams

1 team

Earnings Per Year

Year	Age	Status	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2022	23	Active	$8,609,856	$8,609,856
2023	24	Active	$1,375,304	$9,985,160
2024	25	Active	$2,045,608	$12,030,768
2025	26	Active	$2,724,732	$14,755,500
Total			$14,755,500	$14,755,500
2026	27	Active	$18,825,000
2027	28	Active	$14,175,000
2028	29	Active	$16,500,000
Total			$64,255,500

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
4		$5,910,574	$7,904,856	$931,250	-	$8,820	-	$14,755,500

Year	Age	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Workout	Cash Total	Cash Cumulative
2022	23	$705,000	$7,904,856					$8,609,856	$8,609,856
2023	24	$915,929			$459,375			$1,375,304	$9,985,160
2024	25	$1,573,733			$471,875			$2,045,608	$12,030,768
2025	26	$2,715,912					$8,820	$2,724,732	$14,755,500
Total		$5,910,574	$7,904,856		$931,250		$8,820	$14,755,500	$14,755,500
2026	27	$1,215,000	$17,000,000	$100,000				$18,825,000
2027	28	$1,260,000				$12,305,000	$100,000	$14,175,000
2028	29	$1,305,000			$3,000,000	$11,585,000	$100,000	$16,500,000
Total		$9,690,574	$24,904,856	$100,000	$3,931,250	$23,890,000	$208,820	$64,255,500

Earnings Per Team

Years	Team	Base	Signing	Roster	Restructure	Option	Incentives	Cash Cumulative
4		$5,910,574	$7,904,856	$931,250	-	$8,820	-	$14,755,500

Mar 09, 2026 Signed a 3 year $49.5 million contract with Cleveland (CLE)
May 01, 2025 Los Angeles (LAC) declined a $17.56 million option for 2026
May 27, 2022 Signed a 4 year $14.7 million contract with Los Angeles (LAC)
Apr 28, 2022 Drafted by Los Angeles (LAC): Round 1 (#17 overall)

Year	Team	GP	GS	Snaps	Snaps%
2025	LAC	17	16	1,072	93.87
2024	LAC	17	17	1,047	98.22
2023	LAC	15	15	1,010	87.45
2022	LAC	17	17	1,184	99.33

Calculated Market Value

$11.3M Avg. Annual Salary

Market Value

3 years, $33,783,456
Avg. Salary: $11,261,152
NFL Rank: 269
G Rank: 22

Current Contract

Free Agent: 2029
Avg. Salary: $16,500,000
NFL Rank: 171
G Rank: 14

Comparable Players

We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Zion Johnson to.

Player	Length	Value	Avg. Salary	Age When Signed
Ben Bredeson	3	$22,000,000	$7,333,333	26
Cesar Ruiz	4	$44,000,000	$11,000,000	24
Jon Runyan	3	$30,000,000	$10,000,000	26
Damien Lewis	4	$53,000,000	$13,250,000	26
Averages	4	$37,250,000	$10,395,833	25.5

Base Calculated Value

After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Johnson's current age (26), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.

Length	Value	Avg. Salary
3	$32,526,315	$10,842,105

Statistical Comparisons

Now we'll compare our variables and Johnson statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GP%, Snaps %, QB Hurries Allowed/Gm, QB Sacks Allowed/Gm, Rating

Player	GP%	Snaps %	QB Hurries Allowed/Gm	QB Sacks Allowed/Gm	Rating
Ben Bredeson 2023-2024	97.06	95.29	1.88	0.21	49.15
Cesar Ruiz 2021-2022	91.18	100.00	1.06	0.26	57.25
Jon Runyan 2022-2023	100.00	90.40	0.71	0.15	58.90
Damien Lewis 2022-2023	94.12	90.25	1.19	0.19	65.70
Average	95.59	93.99	1.21	0.20	57.75
Zion Johnson 2024-2025	100.00	95.96	0.94	0.24	61.55
Pct Change	4.61	2.10	22.31	-20.00	6.58
Median Prime % Change					4.61%
Average Prime % Change					3.12%

Calculated Market Value: Zion Johnson

After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.

Terms	Avg. Salary
3 years, $33,783,456	$11,261,152

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Zion Johnson

2026 Cap Hit

2026 Cash

Career Earnings

2026-2028 Free Agent (CURRENT)

2022-2025 Rookie

Seasons

Career Earnings thru 2026

Earnings w/ Different Teams

Earnings Per Year

Earnings Per Team

Earnings Per Team

Calculated Market Value

Market Value

Current Contract

Comparable Players

Base Calculated Value

Statistical Comparisons

Calculated Market Value: Zion Johnson

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