John Johnson III Bio
John Johnson III is an American professional football player who plays the safety position in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on December 19, 1995, in Hyattsville, Maryland, and is currently a member of the Los Angeles Rams. Drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Rams, Johnson has built a reputation as a versatile and dependable defensive back across multiple teams, including a notable run with the Cleveland Browns.
Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 204 pounds, Johnson has combined physicality with strong coverage skills throughout his career. He rejoined the Rams for a second stint and continues to contribute as an experienced leader in the secondary.
Early Life and Background
John Johnson III grew up in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he attended Northwestern High School. At Northwestern, he played under head coach Brian Pierre, lining up at both wide receiver and safety. His senior year numbers were impressive, including 50 combined tackles, 13 pass deflections, six tackles for a loss, and five interceptions, showing the range that would later define his professional profile.
Coming out of high school, Johnson was rated as a two-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals.com. He received scholarship offers from several programs, including Boston College, Lehigh, Bucknell, Buffalo, Duke, UMass, Missouri, Pittsburgh, Towson, and Ohio. After taking his only college visit to Boston College in June 2012, he committed to the program on July 23, 2012, citing academics as a major factor in his decision.
Path to American Football
Johnson’s path to the NFL began at Boston College, where he enrolled in 2013. He made his collegiate debut in the Eagles’ season-opening win over Villanova and quickly contributed on special teams and at cornerback. As a freshman, he recorded four combined tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a fumble recovery in 12 games, including a fumble recovery in the AdvoCare V100 Bowl against Arizona.
Recruited by Boston College’s Al Washington, Johnson developed steadily across his college years and earned recognition as a draft-eligible safety. He accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl in January 2017 and participated at the NFL Combine, where he completed all required drills. Ranked as the seventh-best free safety prospect by DraftScout.com, Johnson entered the 2017 NFL Draft as a polished, pro-ready defender.
John Johnson III Career
Early Career (2017)
The Los Angeles Rams selected Johnson in the third round, 91st overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the 10th safety drafted that year. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3.25 million with a signing bonus of $757,752 and entered training camp competing for a starting role behind veterans Lamarcus Joyner and Maurice Alexander.
Johnson made his regular-season debut on September 10, 2017, against the Indianapolis Colts. By October 8, he earned his first start against the Seattle Seahawks, recording two pass deflections and his first career interception off Russell Wilson. He finished his rookie season with 75 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections, and one interception in 16 games and 11 starts, earning an 85.8 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Los Angeles Rams First Stint Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Johnson’s breakout came during the 2018 NFL season under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Paired with Lamarcus Joyner, he started all 16 games and posted 119 combined tackles, a career-high four interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and a forced fumble. He also intercepted Baker Mayfield, C. J. Beathard, and Mitchell Trubisky during a dominant stretch of the season.
The Rams finished 13–3 and earned a first-round bye. Johnson started in the Divisional Round against the Dallas Cowboys and recorded a key overtime interception off Drew Brees in the NFC Championship Game, helping the Rams reach Super Bowl LIII. Although Los Angeles fell 13–3 to the New England Patriots, Johnson had cemented himself as a foundational piece of the secondary.
In 2019, Johnson suffered a shoulder injury in Week 6 that limited him to six games, finishing with 51 combined tackles and two interceptions. He returned healthy in 2020 and started all 16 games, totaling 105 combined tackles and one interception. The Rams reached the Divisional Round that year, where Johnson recorded nine combined tackles in a loss at Green Bay. He then entered free agency following the 2020 season.
Cleveland Browns Era (2021–2022)
On March 15, 2021, the Cleveland Browns signed Johnson to a three-year, $33.75 million contract that included $24 million guaranteed and a $12 million signing bonus. Head coach Kevin Stefanski named him the starting strong safety, where he paired with Ronnie Harrison. He made his Browns debut against the Kansas City Chiefs and quickly became a steady presence in the secondary.
During his first season in Cleveland, Johnson recorded 61 combined tackles, five pass deflections, three interceptions, and a forced fumble in 15 games. In 2022, he added 81 total tackles, one interception, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries across 14 starts. The Browns released Johnson as a Post-June 1 designation on March 15, 2023, ending his second stint with the team.
Los Angeles Rams Second Stint Era (2023–Present)
On August 7, 2023, the Los Angeles Rams signed Johnson to a one-year, $1.08 million contract. He started the final seven games of the regular season and contributed in the Rams’ NFC Wild Card loss to Detroit. On December 3, he recorded his first interception back with the Rams in a victory over his former team, the Cleveland Browns.
In 2024, the Rams re-signed Johnson to a one-year, $1.37 million extension on July 11. After starting Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, he announced via Twitter on September 15 that he had suffered a hairline fracture in his scapula, which placed him on injured reserve. He was later activated for the Rams’ Wild Card victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Driving Style and Strengths
John Johnson III is known for his balanced skill set as a safety, combining reliable open-field tackling with sharp coverage instincts. His experience in both deep zones and box assignments has allowed him to handle a wide range of assignments across different defensive schemes. He excels at reading quarterbacks’ eyes and breaking on routes, which has produced 15 career interceptions and 48 pass deflections through his NFL tenure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s career highlight came during the 2018 NFC Championship Game, when his overtime interception off Drew Brees sent the Rams to Super Bowl LIII. He is also a member of the 500-career-tackle club, with 562 combined tackles, and has appeared in multiple playoff games for both the Rams and Browns.
John Johnson III Career Wins
Across his NFL career, John Johnson III has accumulated 562 total tackles, 15 interceptions, 48 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one sack. He has played in multiple playoff games, including a Super Bowl appearance, and has been a consistent starter at strong safety throughout his professional career.
Los Angeles Rams Highlights
During his first Rams stint, Johnson started 59 games and totaled 350 combined tackles, six interceptions, 30 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. His 2018 season stood out, with four interceptions and a Pro Football Focus grade that ranked among the league’s best safeties. In his second stint, he started late-season games and added a regular-season interception against the Browns in 2023.
Cleveland Browns Highlights
In two seasons with Cleveland, Johnson started 29 games and recorded 142 combined tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He played a leadership role in the secondary and remained healthy for most of his Browns tenure.
John Johnson III Family
Family Background and Personal Life
John Johnson III was raised in Hyattsville, Maryland, where he attended Northwestern High School and developed into a top collegiate prospect. He has kept his personal and family life largely private, and no verified public details about his parents, spouse, or children are currently available.
2025 Season Performance
Following the 2024 season, John Johnson III became a free agent and remained unsigned through the early months of 2025. On August 27, 2025, the NFL suspended him for three games due to an undisclosed reason. His status beyond the suspension period will determine his role and availability for any potential team during the 2025 campaign.