IRVINE, Calif. — The Rams added depth and veteran leadership at the safety position by signing John Johnson to a one-year deal on Monday according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The news was first reported by Jake Ellenbogen of BLEAV.
Johnson, 27, was in attendance at Rams’ practice on Sunday at UC Irvine where he was spotted speaking with the team’s general manager, Les Snead, on the sideline. He was also cheered on by fans after practice as he signed autographs and took photos.
Johnson began his NFL career with the Rams, spending four years in Los Angeles after being a third-round pick in 2017. Johnson played opposite Rams’ starting safety Jordan Fuller in 2020, Fuller’s rookie season.
During the 2021 offseason, Johnson signed a 3-year, $36 million, deal as a free agent to play with the Cleveland Browns. He was released by the Browns this offseason after two years with the team where he recorded 162 tackles, one sack, four interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
His performance with the Browns was noticeably a step back from his four years with the Rams. Johnson was a fan favorite for the Rams, especially since he had an interception in overtime against the New Orleans Saints that led to the Rams’ 2018 Super Bowl appearance.
Along with Fuller, Johnson will join a young safety cohort including Quentin Lake, who has had an impressive training camp thus far along with Russ Yeast and Jason Taylor II.
