Rams Re-Sign DB John Johnson III

The Los Angeles Rams have re-signed defensive back John Johnson III, the NFL team announced Thursday. Johnson, 28, returned to the Rams in 2023 after an initial four-year stint there followed by two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

John Johnson III was selected 91st overall by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft

This will be his third official stint with the Rams. The 6-foot, 209-pound defensive back played in 17 games last season (eight starts) and made 42 tackles with two interceptions and six pass breakups.

The Rams selected Johnson in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Boston College. He has 392 tackles, 10 interceptions, 38 pass breakups, eight tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in 71 career regular-season games (56 starts) for the Rams.

Johnson also has played in seven playoff games (all starts) for Los Angeles and made 42 tackles with one interception. As a free agent in 2021, he signed a three-year, $33.75 million deal with Cleveland.

In 32 games (all starts) from 2021-22, he totaled 162 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and five tackles for loss.

Rams head coach Sean McVay praised Johnson last August

In August 2023, Rams head coach Sean McVay was asked why the team decided to bring him back. He described it as an opportunity to add a “really good player” to the defense.

“It’s great to be able to have him back. Really, just another really good player. Obviously was here from the start of when we got here in ’17, was a foundational piece,” McVay said.

“To be able to get a guy that’s familiar with the culture, has played a lot of really good football. He’s gonna come in and he’s gonna continue to compete. … Earn everything just like everybody else. But we felt it was a chance to be able to upgrade our secondary, upgrade the depth of our safety room.”

Los Angeles remains focused on strengthening secondary

Considering eight-time All Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald announced his retirement in March, the Rams felt the best move was to upgrade the secondary to take pressure off the defensive line.

Additionally, the Rams brought back defensive back Darious Williams on a three-year deal.

The secondary also has new additions, such as former Washington safety Kamren Curl and former Buffalo cornerback Tre’Davious White.

Plus, the defense added rookie safety Kamren Kinchens, a third-round pick out of Miami.

Training camp begins July 23 at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester.