Nazeeh Johnson Bio
Nazeeh Johnson (born July 17, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and listed at 199 lb (90 kg), he plays primarily on the defensive back line. He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd before being selected by the Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. Johnson has won two Super Bowl championships with Kansas City, contributing to back-to-back title runs.
A native of Martinsburg, West Virginia, Johnson developed into a reliable defensive contributor at Marshall and transitioned smoothly to the professional level. His path from unranked high school recruit to Super Bowl champion reflects steady development and durability. He remains a part of the Chiefs organization entering the 2025 NFL season.
Early Life and Background
Nazeeh Johnson was born on July 17, 1998, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He grew up in the surrounding region and attended Millbrook High School in Winchester, Virginia, where he began his football journey. Coming out of high school, Johnson was unranked as a recruit by 247Sports.com, meaning he entered the college process without the national attention given to many of his peers.
Despite his unranked status, Johnson pursued collegiate football with persistence. He chose Marshall University, where he would eventually walk on to the football team and earn his place through work ethic. He majored in Communications during his time at Marshall, balancing academics with the demands of a defensive back’s schedule.
Path to American Football
Johnson’s path to professional football began at Marshall, where he spent the 2016 through 2021 college seasons developing his skills as a cornerback. He started four seasons for the Thundering Herd, becoming a fixture in the secondary. His college production was significant: he totaled 302 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, seven interceptions, 19 passes defended, and a defensive touchdown across his career.
His combination of experience, ball production, and tackling volume made him an appealing late-round NFL prospect. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Johnson with the 259th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft, giving him an opportunity to compete at the highest level of professional football.
Nazeeh Johnson Career
Early Career (2022)
Nazeeh Johnson began his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs after being drafted in the seventh round in 2022. He was waived on August 30, 2022, but was signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. Less than a month later, on September 28, Johnson was promoted to the active roster, signaling the Chiefs’ intent to develop him as a defensive contributor.
His rookie season culminated in a championship, as Johnson was part of the Chiefs roster that won Super Bowl LVII, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles. The early experience of joining a contender provided valuable exposure to NFL-level competition and a winning culture.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Heading into 2023, Johnson was looking to build on his late-season role from his rookie year. However, during training camp, he suffered a torn ACL and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on July 30, 2023. Despite being sidelined for the year, the Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, awarding Johnson his second straight Super Bowl ring.
Johnson re-signed with the Chiefs on March 11, 2024, returning from injury to rejoin the defensive backfield. In the 2024 season, he recorded one sack, 56 tackles, and three passes defended, demonstrating his recovery and continued growth as a tackler and pass defender on the perimeter.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2025)
Entering the 2025 NFL season, Johnson continued his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs. On August 15, 2025, during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, he departed early due to a shoulder injury. The injury led to his placement on injured reserve on August 27, temporarily halting his on-field contributions.
Johnson was activated on December 24, ahead of the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Denver Broncos, signaling his return to active duty late in the season. His career with the Chiefs, spanning 2022 through 2025, has now included multiple Super Bowl championships and continued development in the defensive backfield.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a cornerback, Johnson has built his reputation on physicality and tackling in run support, evidenced by his college total of 302 tackles and his 56-tackle 2024 NFL season. His ball skills, showcased by seven career interceptions at Marshall, complement his willingness to compete at the line of scrimmage. Within the Chiefs system, he has operated as a reliable reserve and rotational defender.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s most significant milestones include two Super Bowl championships with Kansas City, earned during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and his activation back to the active roster in December 2025. His career arc, from unranked high school recruit to seventh-round pick to two-time champion, defines his professional story to this point.
Nazeeh Johnson Career Wins
Nazeeh Johnson’s career win total is defined primarily by team championships rather than individual accolades. Across his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, he has been part of two Super Bowl-winning rosters, contributing to one of the most successful stretches in modern Chiefs history.
Kansas City Chiefs Highlights
Johnson’s Chiefs highlights include his role on the Super Bowl LVII-winning roster in the 2022 season and his second championship with the Super Bowl LVIII team in the 2023 season, even though he spent that year on injured reserve. His 2024 season production, featuring 56 tackles, one sack, and three passes defended, marked his return to full health and on-field impact.
Other Wins & Performances
At the collegiate level with the Marshall Thundering Herd, Johnson delivered four seasons as a starter, capping his career with 302 tackles, seven interceptions, and a defensive touchdown. His durability across more than four college seasons laid the foundation for his professional opportunity.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Super Bowl Championships | 2 | N/A | N/A |
Nazeeh Johnson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Nazeeh Johnson was raised in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and attended Millbrook High School in nearby Winchester, Virginia. Publicly available details about his immediate family, including parents or guardians who supported his football development, are not confirmed in available sources.
Personal Life
Johnson is a native of Martinsburg, West Virginia, and has built his professional life around his football career. Publicly available information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Nazeeh Johnson’s 2025 NFL season began with the familiar setting of Kansas City Chiefs training camp and the preseason slate. On August 15, 2025, he suffered a shoulder injury during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, which led to his placement on injured reserve on August 27. The injury interrupted his development arc after a productive 2024 campaign.
Johnson was activated on December 24, ahead of the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Denver Broncos, returning to the active roster for the late stretch of the regular season. His return gave the Chiefs additional depth in the secondary during a competitive portion of the schedule.
As the 2025 season continues, Johnson remains a part of the Kansas City Chiefs organization, with two Super Bowl championships already secured in his young career. His ongoing focus will be on regaining full health, contributing in the defensive backfield, and helping the Chiefs contend for another championship run.