3 teams that could sign LA Rams’ John Johnson III (for stacks of cash)

Three NFL teams could make Johnson very rich indeed

Okay, grab your checkbooks, purses, wallets, and money belts, and let’s go.  We are about to explore the realm of the NFL Free Agency as seen through the eyes of a coveted player. What is the intrigue for a player to sign somewhere? Well, the top three are guaranteed money, overall contract value, and likelihood to compete for a championship in that order. It’s a business after all.

The LA Chargers offer strong competition for Johnson.  It’s easy to imagine Johnson possibly reuniting with his old coach Brandon Staley, now the head coach of the LA Chargers. (Johnson wouldn’t even have to change home lockers ’cause he’d be playing in the same stadium). The coach and player were simpatico while together with the Rams, and the Chargers desperately need improved secondary. Johnson offers much more value to the Chargers than any other team. Let’s face the fact, Brandon Staley needs a veteran who understands his coverage scheme to make it work, and Johnson has proven that skillset. The Chargers may very well be the top team jockeying for position against several others to ink Johnson when free agency opens next week.

Another team with a familiar face for Johnson would be the Detroit Lions, where former Rams cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant is now the secondary coach and passing game coordinator. If familiarity breeds contempt, it also breeds a sense of security and trust, and Pleasant knows Johnson can flat out play. Want more proof? The Detroit Lions defense has been one of the NFL’s worst. And with the likes of the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, and Minnesota Vikings, strong pass defense is necessary.

Nightmare! Signing with the 49ers

A third team looking to improve its secondary play is the San Francisco 49ers because of three words: salary cap space. The Niners are projected to have $23 million in cap space for 2021, plenty of cap space to toss stacks of cash at Johnson. So why would John Johnson become a target for the 49ers?

Well, the 49ers’ secondary projects to lose as many as six DBs, led by Richard Sherman. So where will the 49ers make up the difference?  Well, the 49ers love run-stuffing safeties

And signing safety John Johnson III to the 49ers keeps that streak alive. And the likelihood of safety John Johnson III signing on with the rival 49ers is the nightmare free agent scenario we feared.

And yes, that sort of stick-in-the-knife to the LA Rams in the process of signing one of the best free-agent safeties available would be an added bonus.  Honorable mentions: Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and even the New England Patriots may show some interest.