Countdown to 2020: Best Cleveland Browns player to wear No. 59

Who is the best player to wear number 59 for the Cleveland Browns?

The countdown to the 2020 NFL season is upon us. With 59 days remaining until the Browns season opener, we continue the countdown by celebrating the best Cleveland Browns player to ever wear number 59: Mike Johnson.

Mike Johnson was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 18th overall selection in the NFL’s supplemental draft of USFL and CFL players in 1984 out of Virginia Tech. Although he was overshadowed by Bruce Smith while at Virginia Tech, Johnson still managed to make his mark. In 1994, Johnson was elected to the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.

That particular, one-time-only, supplemental draft produced three Hall of Famers in the first four picks. The Browns also selected Kevin Mack and Gerald ‘Ice Cube’ McNeil in that same draft. Even though those players chose to play in the USFL, the Browns retained their rights if they later chose to play in the NFL.

That same year, Johnson was selected by the Pittsburgh Maulers in the USFL draft. His rights were later traded to the Philadelphia Stars, and that is where he chose to start his professional career. Johnson was a part of the most successful team to play in the USFL, winning both the 1984 and 1985 USFL Championships. After the league folded in 1986, due in large part to Donald J. Trump’s push to have the upstart league compete head to head with the NFL during the fall, Johnson began his NFL career.

When Johnson arrived in Cleveland, the Browns were employing a 3-4 defensive scheme, which provided two inside linebacker spots for Johnson to compete for. Johnson’s first season in Cleveland was spent backing up the starting inside linebackers, Eddie Johnson and Anthony Griggs. Although he wasn’t able to crack the starting lineup in 1986, Johnson proved himself to be a solid tackler with starting potential.

That potential was realized in 1987 when Johnson took over the right inside linebacker spot. With Johnson and Johnson patrolling the middle, the Browns defense gave up the second-fewest rushing yards in the NFL. In 1988, the two Johnson’s switched spots, and the younger of the Johnson’s played the left inside linebacker position. The move resulted in him making 132 combined tackles.

In 1989, there was a change in the head coaching position and veteran defensive coordinator, Bud Carson, was now leading the helm for the Browns. With Carson’s arrival came the switch to a 4-3 defense, which put Johnson at middle linebacker. He thrived in the position change, racking up 133 total tackles and earning his first Pro Bowl nomination in the process.

Johnson followed up his 1989 campaign by racking up 161 combined tackles in 1990 and once again earning a trip to Honolulu to play in the Pro Bowl. 1991 brought Johnson career lows as he was only able to play in five games, but he was able to rebound the following season.

In 1992, Johnson finished second in the NFL in total tackles with an astounding 176. Johnson followed up that stellar season by registering five more tackles for a career-high total of 181 in 1993. Johnson chose to go to the Detroit Lions as an unrestricted free agent in 1994 and played two seasons before retiring following the 1995 season.

Johnson’s career in Cleveland was a productive one. He registered over 130 tackles in five separate seasons and racked up 1,224 combined tackles as a member of the Cleveland Browns. Johnson also added 10 career interceptions and 11 sacks to his Browns resume. What can not be quantified by statistics was Johnson’s leadership during his five seasons being the quarterback of the defense.

Mike Johnson is without a doubt the best player to ever wear number 59 for the Cleveland Browns.