Thursday morning, the Los Angeles Rams announced the re-signing of veteran safety John Johnson III. This will be Johnson’s third stint with the Rams, and his second on a one-year contract with Los Angeles.
Welcome back, @iamjohnthethird!! pic.twitter.com/BPo3rhnsNt
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 4, 2024
Johnson was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Rams. Johnson has appeared in 103 regular-season games during his seven-year NFL career with the Rams and the Cleveland Browns.
The Rams absolutely needed another veteran presence in their ssecondary. The safety spot opposite Kamren Curl looked like a split between Russ Yeast, who has struggled in the NFL, and Kamren Kinchens, a talented but unproven rookie. The signing of Johnson adds a veteran to that spot and eases some concern about having such a hole in the secondary.
Johnson isn’t quite the same caliber of player he was in his first stint with the Rams, but he is a smart, savvy veteran who will be a key mentor for the youth in LA’s secondary. Johnson’s two interceptions last season finished third on the team. This late in the offseason, his presence will be crucial for Los Angeles, who is moving to a new defensive coordinator in Chris Shula and lost Aaron Donald’s presence up front.
