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Nomadic QB Josh Johnson will be back in the NFL again in 2026
Josh Johnson. Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Nomadic QB Josh Johnson will be back in the NFL again in 2026

Josh Johnson, perhaps the NFL's ultimate journeyman backup quarterback, is going to have another opportunity to stick around in the league for the 2026 season. 

The 39-year-old quarterback signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, continuing what has been an absolutely wild career that has taken him across the league and resulted in him collecting an impressive number of helmets.

This will be Josh Johnson's third stint with the Bengals

Johnson was originally a fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008 and has managed to carve out a career for himself as roving backup who is always available when a team needs depth at the position.

Over the past 18 years he has spent time with the Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, Bengals, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders, Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos

That is 14 out of the league's 32 teams. 

What makes it even wilder is that he has been with several of those teams on more than one occasion, making multiple stops with the Bengals, 49ers, Ravens and Commanders.

In between all of the NFL stops, he has also made brief appearances in other football leagues, having played for the San Diego Fleet, Los Angeles Wildcats and Sacramento Mountain Lions. 

During his career, he has only appeared in games with the Buccaneers, Commanders, Ravens, Jets, Bengals, 49ers and Browns. He has completed 242-of-412 passes for 2,669 yards, 14 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He has started 11 games, compiling a 2-9 record in those starts.

Despite the lack of gaudy numbers or much individual success, teams still clearly value him and want him around. There is a lot to be said for that, and it is a testament to how much teams respect him and what he provides.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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