Tyler Johnson Bio
Tyler Johnson (born August 25, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He is currently listed as a member of the Dallas Cowboys after signing with the franchise in 2026. Johnson rose to national attention as a record-setting pass catcher for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and later became a Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Standing 6 ft 1 in tall and playing at roughly 208 lb, Johnson has built his reputation on reliable hands, sharp route running, and the ability to contribute in high-leverage situations. Across his professional career, he has suited up for several NFL organizations, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Jets.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Johnson was born on August 25, 1998, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in the same city that would later become his football home. He attended North Community High School in Minneapolis, where he lined up at quarterback and defensive back during his prep career. Playing both sides of the ball helped him develop the versatility and field awareness that would later define his transition to wide receiver at the college level.
Johnson’s high school performances drew recruiting attention from several Big Ten and Big 12 programs. He received scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Iowa State, before ultimately committing to continue his football journey with the University of Minnesota. Choosing the home-state Golden Gophers allowed him to remain close to family while competing in one of the nation’s premier football conferences.
Path to American Football
Johnson arrived at the University of Minnesota in 2016 as a wide receiver, a position switch from his quarterback role in high school. The transition required adjustment, but he quickly earned a role in the Gophers’ offense. As a true freshman, he played in all 13 games, started one contest, and finished the year with 14 receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown, signaling a promising developmental trajectory.
By his sophomore season in 2017, Johnson had become a more central part of the Minnesota passing attack. He started the first ten games of the year before an injury forced him to miss the final two contests. Even with the abbreviated schedule, he produced 35 catches for 677 yards and seven touchdowns, providing a clear indication of his big-play capability. The stage was set for a breakout junior campaign that would establish him as one of the conference’s top receivers.
Tyler Johnson Career
Early Career (2016–2019)
Johnson’s junior season in 2018 marked the first true headline chapter of his football career. He started all 13 games and recorded 78 receptions for 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns, setting new single-season school records at Minnesota. His performance earned him First-Team All-Big Ten recognition from the media, and he returned to the Gophers for his senior year rather than enter the 2019 NFL draft.
In 2019, Johnson’s senior season, he elevated his game even further. He led the Big Ten with 86 receptions, 1,318 receiving yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns, all of which set new Minnesota single-season records. He earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors once again and closed his college career with a 12-reception, 204-yard, two-touchdown performance against Auburn in the Outback Bowl, earning the game’s MVP award. Johnson exited Minnesota ranked second all-time in school history in receptions with 213 and first in both receiving yards (3,305) and receiving touchdowns (33).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2020–2021)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Johnson with the 161st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. In Week 5 of his rookie season, he recorded his first four career receptions for 61 receiving yards against the Chicago Bears. A week later, against the Green Bay Packers, he caught his first professional touchdown on a seven-yard pass from Tom Brady. He finished his rookie year with 12 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games.
Johnson’s most important rookie contribution came in the postseason. In the NFC Championship Game, he drew a critical, game-sealing pass-interference penalty on Green Bay cornerback Kevin King, helping Tampa Bay advance to Super Bowl LV, where the Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9. Johnson earned a single target in the Super Bowl win, securing a championship ring in his first professional season. In 2021, he appeared more regularly, finishing the year with 36 receptions for 360 yards. Tampa Bay waived him on August 30, 2022.
Journeyman Years (2022–2024)
Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans on August 31, 2022, but was released on October 25 of the same year. He returned briefly to the Buccaneers’ practice squad on October 31, 2022. In January 2023, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, though the Raiders waived him in May. He then signed with the Los Angeles Rams on May 30, 2023, was waived in late August, and re-signed to the practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in January 2024.
With the Rams in 2024, Johnson appeared in 15 games with two starts, posting 26 receptions for 291 yards and one touchdown. The season provided his most consistent target share since his Buccaneers days and helped re-establish him as a reliable depth receiver at the NFL level.
New York Jets Era (2025)
Johnson signed with the New York Jets on March 15, 2025. The Jets waived him on August 26 before re-signing him to the practice squad a day later, and he was promoted to the active roster on September 8. He finished the 2025 season with 12 receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown, serving as a depth option in the Jets’ receiving corps.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2026–Present)
On April 27, 2026, Johnson signed with the Dallas Cowboys, joining a new organization as he continues his professional career. The move placed him on the Cowboys’ active roster, where he is listed as a wide receiver. The signing represented a fresh opportunity to compete for a larger role in a high-profile offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s career-defining moments include his game-sealing pass-interference draw against Kevin King in the 2020 NFC Championship Game, his Super Bowl LV championship with the Buccaneers, and his record-breaking senior season at Minnesota that included Outback Bowl MVP honors. He also set Minnesota single-season records in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in 2019.
Tyler Johnson Career Wins
Across his professional career, Tyler Johnson has accumulated verified production in both the regular season and postseason. His most significant team achievement is a Super Bowl championship earned with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Highlights
Johnson’s first chapter in Tampa Bay produced his most memorable team success. After recording 12 receptions for 169 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, he played a key supporting role in the Buccaneers’ run to a Super Bowl LV title. In 2021, he posted 36 receptions for 360 yards, his highest single-season reception total with the franchise. He later returned briefly in 2022 via the practice squad.
Other Performances
Beyond Tampa Bay, Johnson has posted verified production with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, recording 26 receptions for 291 yards and one touchdown across 15 games. He added 12 receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown with the New York Jets in 2025. His career NFL totals through the 2025 season include 87 receptions for 1,022 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns.
Tyler Johnson Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Tyler Johnson was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and chose to play his college football at the University of Minnesota, the home-state program. He attended North Community High School in Minneapolis.
2025 Season Performance
Tyler Johnson joined the New York Jets on March 15, 2025, looking to carve out a consistent role in the team’s passing game. After a brief stint on waivers and the practice squad, he was promoted to the active roster on September 8 and settled into a depth role at wide receiver. He closed the 2025 season with 12 receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown, providing reliable veteran production in spot duty.
Johnson’s veteran presence and experience from a Super Bowl-winning locker room made him a valued depth piece for the Jets throughout the year. His ability to contribute on offense and on special teams helped him remain on the active roster for the bulk of the season. The campaign added to his career NFL totals of 87 receptions, 1,022 receiving yards, and 5 receiving touchdowns.
