Anthony Johnson Jr. Bio
Anthony Christopher Johnson Jr. (born December 2, 1999) is an American professional football safety in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Iowa State Cyclones, he was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Johnson has since spent time with the New York Giants and most recently signed with the Chicago Bears in 2026, where he continues his professional career as a defensive back and special teams contributor.
Listed at 6 feet 0 inches and 205 pounds, Johnson has built a career through perseverance, positional versatility, and timely playmaking in the secondary. His journey from a three-star recruit in St. Petersburg, Florida, to an NFL roster spot reflects steady development and resilience through roster changes.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Christopher Johnson Jr. was born on December 2, 1999, in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he grew up and developed his early love for football. He attended St. Petersburg High School, competing locally before attracting the attention of college recruiters.
Coming out of high school, Johnson was rated a three-star recruit. He received scholarship interest from several programs and ultimately committed to play college football at Iowa State, choosing the Cyclones over an offer from the University of South Florida. The decision to head to the Big 12 Conference set the stage for his growth as a defensive back over multiple college seasons.
Path to American Football
Johnson enrolled at Iowa State in 2018 and immediately began working toward a role on the Cyclones’ defense. He spent his first four college seasons playing cornerback, a position that demanded coverage skills, footwork, and the ability to match up against a wide range of receivers. He became a starter during his freshman year, an early sign of the coaching staff’s confidence in his ability.
Following his senior season, Johnson took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes because of the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to Iowa State for a fifth season. That final year proved transformative: he moved from cornerback to safety, embraced a more physical role near the line of scrimmage, and earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022. The positional change helped shape the versatile profile that would eventually attract NFL scouts.
Anthony Johnson Jr. Career
Early Career (2018–2022)
Johnson’s development at Iowa State followed a steady upward arc. As a senior, he was named honorable mention All-Big 12 Conference after recording 55 tackles, three tackles for loss, four passes broken up, and two forced fumbles. Those numbers demonstrated his willingness to support the run game while still creating disruption in the passing game.
His fifth and final college season, played at safety, was his most decorated. Johnson finished the year with 60 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up, earning second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2022. The combination of production, leadership, and positional flexibility made him a candidate for the 2023 NFL Draft, where the Green Bay Packers selected him in the seventh round with the 242nd overall pick.
Green Bay Packers (2023–2024)
Johnson signed his rookie contract with the Green Bay Packers on May 5, 2023, and began his first professional training camp. He did not make his regular season debut until Week 7, appearing in a 17–19 loss to the Denver Broncos, where he logged 15 snaps, 11 of them on special teams.
His first career start came in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams, stepping in for injured safety Rudy Ford. In that game, Johnson produced his signature rookie moment, intercepting a pass from Rams quarterback Brett Rypien in the fourth quarter after the ball was tipped by cornerback Jaire Alexander. He finished the contest with one interception, two pass deflections, and one tackle, playing every defensive snap in Green Bay’s 20–3 victory. Johnson recorded his best statistical showing of the season on Thanksgiving Day in Week 12, finishing with eight total tackles and a pass deflection in a 29–22 win over the Detroit Lions. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 27, 2024.
New York Giants (2024–2025)
Johnson was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants on August 28, 2024, giving him a quick path back onto an active roster. During the 2024 season, he was active for nine games and served primarily as a special teams player, while logging 21 defensive snaps, all of which came during the final two games of the year.
On July 22, 2025, Johnson was waived by the Giants after a failed physical. He cleared waivers the following day and reverted to the reserve/PUP list on July 23, 2025, where he spent the entire 2025 season. The Giants released him on March 10, 2026, opening the door for his next professional opportunity.
Chicago Bears Era (2026–Present)
On May 21, 2026, Johnson signed with the Chicago Bears, joining a defensive backfield in need of experienced depth. The move reunited him with an opportunity to compete for a role on both defense and special teams, the dual responsibility that has defined much of his professional career.
Through his time in the NFL, Johnson has recorded 29 total tackles, 4 pass deflections, and 1 interception, according to league statistics tracked through 2026. Wearing jersey number 26, he remains active on the Bears roster and looks to build on a career that has already featured moments of clutch play and steady contribution.
Driving Style and Strengths
Johnson’s professional profile is built on positional versatility, special teams reliability, and the ability to make plays on the ball when given a chance on defense. His experience at both cornerback and safety allows him to line up in multiple spots, while his comfort in run support and zone coverage gives defensive coordinators flexibility. As a special teams player, his tackling and pursuit angles have helped him stay on active rosters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s first career interception against the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 stands as his most memorable professional moment to date, a fourth-quarter play that helped seal a Packers victory. Other milestones include his first NFL start in the same game, his first multi-tackle performance on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions, and his second-team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 during his final season at Iowa State.
Anthony Johnson Jr. Career Highlights
Across his college and professional career, Anthony Christopher Johnson Jr. has assembled a résumé defined by steady progress and opportunistic play. His most notable achievements include earning second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2022 and recording his first NFL interception against the Los Angeles Rams in 2023.
College Highlights
Johnson appeared in five seasons for the Iowa State Cyclones, beginning as a freshman starter at cornerback before moving to safety for his final year. His 2022 campaign produced 60 tackles, two interceptions, and four passes broken up, earning him second-team All-Big 12 recognition and establishing him as an NFL prospect. His earlier senior season included 55 tackles, three tackles for loss, four passes broken up, and two forced fumbles.
NFL Performances
In the NFL, Johnson has suited up for the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Chicago Bears since 2023. His most impactful performance came in his first career start against the Los Angeles Rams, where his interception and two pass deflections powered a 20–3 Green Bay win. He followed that with an eight-tackle game on Thanksgiving against the Detroit Lions.
Anthony Johnson Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Anthony Christopher Johnson Jr. grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, where his football journey began at St. Petersburg High School. The community and family environment in St. Petersburg helped shape his early athletic development.
Personal Life
Johnson’s professional commitments have taken him from Green Bay to New York and now to Chicago. Public details about his immediate family, marital status, or children are not widely documented in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a challenging year for Anthony Christopher Johnson Jr., as he spent the entire campaign away from active game action. After being waived by the New York Giants on July 22, 2025, following a failed physical, he reverted to the reserve/PUP list the following day and remained there throughout the year, limiting his on-field contributions.
While on the reserve/PUP list, Johnson focused on rehabilitation and recovery, working toward a return to professional football. His absence from regular season play in 2025 underscored the physical demands of the sport and the importance of health in maintaining an NFL roster spot.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, the Giants released Johnson on March 10, 2026, clearing the way for his next chapter. His career outlook remained positive, and within weeks he signed with the Chicago Bears on May 21, 2026, signaling a fresh opportunity to resume his professional trajectory in a new defensive environment.