The start of free agency was all about two players for the Los Angeles Rams: Leonard Floyd and John Johnson. It was understood by just about everyone that there was no way they’d be able to re-sign both, given their market values and the Rams’ limited cap space.
They opted to keep Leonard Floyd with a four-year, $64 million deal, allowing John Johnson to leave and join the Cleveland Browns. Johnson’s deal was lower than some expected – three years, $33.75 million – but was a well-deserved payday for the talented young safety.
Even before free agency began, he had a feeling the Rams weren’t going to bring him back. He saw Jalen Ramsey, Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods all sign extensions last year, which was the first sign that Johnson would hit the market.
But even still, Johnson had some hope they’d re-sign him.
“At that Packers playoff game, I kind of had a moment of they were up and they were taking knees, I kind of felt like this might be the last time that I suited up as a Ram, just the way things were going,” he told Cleveland media during his first press conference. “Guys had gotten extensions early in the year, and I was kind of the one who got left out so I just kind of felt like it might be the last time. I did have a little hope that something would happen and I would end up staying there, but I was ready for it. Free agency is a big step, and I was ready for it.”
Johnson admitted free agency was nerve-wracking, despite knowing he was going to wind up in a good situation no matter what. The Browns were a perfect landing spot for him, joining a talented secondary that features Denzel Ward and now Troy Hill.
Leading up to free agency, Johnson was mostly in the dark, not knowing what the Rams’ plan was. He didn’t even know if they were considering bringing him back.
“Luckily for me, I put myself in the position where I knew that I was going to land on my feet. I knew I was going to be able to make a decision and kind of have control of my destiny, but it is nerve-wracking,” he said. “You are just living in limbo for a month and a half, two months not knowing anything. I did not even know if the Rams were even talking about bringing me back. It is just a weird time not knowing what your future holds for you. Like I said, luckily for me, I was blessed enough to know I was going to land on my feet and be in a good situation. It is pretty nerve-wracking, and I am glad that it is over with.”
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