Some players and some teams are simply linked together, and the Los Angeles Rams and defensive back John Johnson III are such a pairing.
Johnson entered the NFL through Los Angeles as a third-round selection out of Boston College in the 2017 draft and spent his first four seasons as a professional with the Rams.
He elevated his game and became a starting safety and team captain.
Johnson’s first tenure with the team ended with a three-year, $33.75 million agreement with the Browns.
Despite starting 32 regular season games for the Browns over two years and making 101 tackles last season, the team released Johnson in March 2023.
He then returned to LA and the West Coast and was featured in all 17 regular season games, including eight starts.
And now the club brought him back for his third contract with the franchise.
The Rams posted a welcome-back message to “an old friend” on X announcing Johnson III’s return.
The #Rams are bringing back an old friend, as John Johnson III returns. https://t.co/Yt2C4CF3gm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 4, 2024
The Rams entering the 2024 season are clearly at a crossroads.
They won the Super Bowl on quarterback Matthew Stafford’s shoulders three seasons ago, but injuries and suspect play triggered a sharp regression to only five victories in 2022.
A surprising playoff run followed in 2023, but now the team must deal with the loss of future Hall of Fame defender Aaron Donald.
Johnson III returns to an intriguing situation in LA, and the juggernaut that is San Francisco stands in the way of the Rams and the top of the NFC West.
With a young and revamped secondary, Johnson may be relied upon for veteran leadership and helping push the team back to its lofty success of three seasons ago.
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