Safety John Johnson III spent the first four seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Rams after being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was a full-time starter for nearly his entire L.A. tenure, and although he never got any Pro Bowl or All-Pro recognition, he was vital to the Rams defense.
It got him a big contract two seasons ago when he opted to sign with the Cleveland Browns in March of 2021. He didn’t continue his same level of production once he got to Cleveland, and ultimately saw that defense struggle during his two-year tenure before being released earlier this year.
Now, he is back with the Rams, signing with L.A. on Aug. 7 as the team builds out the finishing touches on their young defense for the 2023 season. And now contract details have reportedly been revealed for the seven-year pro, according to Gary Klein of The L.A. Times:
And on Tuesday, they welcomed back John Johnson. The seventh-year pro, who collected $24 million from the Browns the last two seasons, signed a one-year deal for $1.08 million.
It’s a well-priced deal for a player like Johnson, who has familiarity with the Rams organization, even if it’s a different defensive system than the one that propelled him to being a prized free agent in 2021.
Johnson now joins Jordan Fuller, Russ Yeast and Quentin Lake as the team’s top safety options according to ESPN’s depth charts. That is half of the secondary with Robert Rochell, Cobie Durant, Derion Kendrick and Tre Tomlinson as the core of the cornerbacks.
It is certainly a younger and more inexperienced secondary for the Rams this season, but the hope is that this core can blend well together and develop as a group to be greater than the sum of their parts. Johnson could provide a strong veteran presence for those younger corners and safeties.
Johnson has chip on his shoulder from time with Browns
Johnson is fully aware that his tenure with the Browns did not go as he had hoped, but he still has belief in himself and his abilities and is appreciative of the Rams giving him another opportunity in L.A.
“I still feel like I put some good stuff on tape. Obviously, I didn’t meet my expectations. Obviously, I didn’t meet the other organization’s expectations, but it puts a chip on your shoulder and show that you can still go. I’m young. I feel like I’m in my prime. I just need a place and an opportunity to do it and I’m just blessed that I have one.”
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