As the Detroit Lions continue to look for solutions at safety after losing Brian Branch for the season to a torn Achilles, an interesting name has emerged from the NFL transaction wire. The Lions hosted former Los Angeles Rams third-round pick John Johnson for a visit on Monday.
Johnson is an intriguing option, because Lions general manager Brad Holmes was largely responsible for the Rams drafting him in 2017. Here’s Rams general manager Les Snead talking about Holmes the moment they drafted Johnson (via the Detroit Free Press).
“He was a huge John Johnson fan. We had got to that late third, and some of the players at positions that we needed more were gone, so now you’re at that point, right, where, are you going to reach for need with players that maybe you have less love for, maybe like them but not as convicted? Or do you take the player that you’re really, really convicted, and maybe have less need?
“And I just remember Brad going, ‘You know what, we take John Johnson, we’re never looking back. He’s going to be good. This guy’s going to help us. Take need out of it.’ And at that point in time, you listen to the wisdom.”
Johnson proceeded to have a solid career with the Rams. He started 11 games in his rookie season, tallying 75 tackles, 11 passes defended and an interception. He would start 37 more games for the Rams over the next three years, before signing a massive three-year, $33.75 million contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2021. The Lions reportedly tried to sign Johnson in 2021—Holmes’ first year with Detroit—but were outbid by the Browns.
Johnson would last two years in Cleveland before he was a cap casualty. He would then return to the Rams for the last two seasons as a reserve. In total, Johnson has played 105 games, started 89, and has produced 562 tackles, 48 passes defended, and 15 interceptions.
That said, Johnson has been out of football since 2024, when he suffered a hairline fracture of his scapula in Week 2. He returned late for the Rams’ playoff run, but played a mere four snaps in the team’s Wild Card game. He has since been unsigned, and he was suspended for three games in the 2025 season for a reason that has not been made public.
On Monday, the Lions signed free agent safety Damontae Kazee to their practice squad, so it’s entirely possible the Lions have made him their choice over Johnson. And when asked about how the team will manage the safety position without Branch—and while Thomas Harper (concussion) and Kerby Joseph (knee) manage their injuries—Lions coach Dan Campbell made no mention of Johnson.
“(Avonte) Maddox went in there for him the other day and we thought he did a hell of a job, he really did. I mean, he played his tail off which is why he’s here, because he’s a football guy. He’s got versatility, nickel that can play safety. Man, he put out a lot of fires back there for us, made quite a few plays. So, that’s encouraging,” Campbell said. “So, we’ve got him, we’ve got (Daniel Thomas) DT back there, (Erick) Hallett’s played there before. We’re going to see if Kerby—see where he’s at, get him some reps here in practice. So, we’re good, man. We signed Kazee, see where he’s at, practice squad. So, we’ve got options here.”
It’s still possible the Lions sign Johnson though, and given Holmes’ affinity for that player, I wouldn’t count it out.
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