Niners Nation · Feb 28, 2023
Cap Casualties: Browns S John Johnson III
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported, barring a trade, the Browns will release safety John Johnson III at the start of the league year.
Johnson, 27, was entering the final year of his three-year contract he signed in 2021. It’s a move that’ll save Cleveland $9.7 million in cap space, although they’ll eat $3.7 million in dead money.
The 49ers currently don’t have a free safety. Tashaun Gipson had a career-year, but he’s a free agent. San Francisco doesn’t intend to pay Jimmie Ward safety money, leaving a void at the position.
Jordan Elliott went over his free agent wish in Adrian Amos. If the former Packer is out of the Niners price range, Johnson is quite the consolation prize.
