The Los Angeles Rams welcomed an old friend back home on Monday by signing safety John Johnson to a one-year deal.
Johnson spent the first four years of his career in L.A. before signing a free-agency deal with the Cleveland Browns in 2021. He has consistently been a solid safety throughout his career, but in March, the Browns released him to save on cap space. After nearly five months on the market, Johnson returns to his old stomping grounds and where he feels he belongs.
"Ever since I left, it’s been a thing floating up in the air, like, ‘Should I have left?’” Johnson said, per the Orange County Register. “I knew in my heart where I wanted to be, so I’m glad we got it done.”
Johnson maintained his solid level of play throughout his two years in Cleveland, but to him, the Browns releasing him was a sign of him not meeting expectations. He adds that he's now carrying a chip on his shoulder, and taking that mindset back to where it all began is a great opportunity for him.
“This place is very different, it’s unique. It’s a great place to be,” Johnson said. “Just the people, from top to bottom, it’s where you want to be.”
While this move is a homecoming for Johnson, the Rams have changed dramatically since he was last with them. Before, he was one of the younger players in a secondary that featured the likes of All-Pro Jalen Ramsey. Now, though, he's a veteran presence for a defense full of young players.
“[He] was a foundational piece,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “To be able to get a guy that’s familiar with the culture, has played a lot of really good football … we felt like it was a chance to be able to upgrade our secondary, upgrade the depth of our safety room.”
In returning to L.A., Johnson feels like he's in a similar situation to his rookie season when he was just learning the ropes. He may have a new role, but coming back home was a special moment for him regardless.
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