Derrick Johnson LB FA Thu 5/2/19 10:11 AM 1 Comment
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson is signing a one-day contract to retire with the Chiefs, 610 Sports Radio reports.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson came to Kansas City in the first-round back in 2015 and left after 13 seasons as the team's all-time leading tackler. The Chiefs parted ways when the aging veteran last offseason in the name of cap relief, which seemingly proved to the right thing to do after the 36-year-old linebacker lasted just six games last season with the Raiders before being released. Now officially calling it quits, Johnson retires as a four-time Pro-Bowler who has 1,168 total tackles and a 2011 first-team All-Pro nod to his name.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Tue 10/16/18 8:59 PM
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson was released by the Raiders on Tuesday, Matthew Kawahara of The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson was signed by the Raiders back in May and tallied 14 total tackles in 6 games. The veteran will become a free agent and could potentially sign with another team depending on injuries across the league.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Fri 5/4/18 1:20 PM
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson has agreed to terms on a contract with the Raiders, Michael Silver of the NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson, 35, parted ways with the Chiefs this offseason after spending 13 years in Kansas City. Although he's getting up there in age, Johnson is a welcomed addition to a weak Raiders linebacking corps and should push for a starting job before long. However, it isn't certain that head coach Jon Gruden views the veteran as a three-down player, so IDP expectations should remain tempered for the time being.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Sat 2/17/18 5:57 PM 1 Comment
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson, who will become an unrestricted free agent March 14, said Wednesday in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio that he would like to play "a couple more years."
EDGE Analysis
Though the Chiefs have already announced that they will void the linebacker's contract for 2018, Johnson isn't ready to cease pursuit of his first Super Bowl championship. The veteran noted that while he prefers to keep serving in a starting role regardless of where he lands this offseason, but indicated that his main focus is to win a championship. If that's the case, Johnson may have to settle for a decreased role if he joins a playoff-contending club, given that he saw his productivity decline in his final year with the Chiefs. Over 15 regular-season appearances in 2017, Johnson tallied 71 tackles, his lowest output in the category for any season in which he has played at least 13 games since 2009.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Tue 2/13/18 3:49 PM
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
The Chiefs announced Tuesday that Johnson would become an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires at the start of the new league year March 14.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson was owed $8 million in 2018, but based on the terms of the restructured deal the veteran linebacker agreed to last offseason, the Chiefs had the luxury of voiding his contract without any consequences. After registering only 71 tackles in 2017 -- the second-lowest total of his career for any season in which he played at least 13 games -- Johnson may have to settle for a part-time role regardless of where he lands in free agency. If Johnson is unable to gain much traction in free agency, it's conceivable that the Chiefs could bring him back at a reduced cost, something the 35-year-old might be amenable to after spending all 13 years of his career in Kansas City.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Mon 1/8/18 2:32 PM
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson said following the Chiefs' 22-21 AFC wild-card loss to the Titans on Saturday that he intends to play in the NFL in 2018, Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star reports. "I'm definitely planning on playing ball again. That's not a question," Johnson said. "But it's not the time to talk, I guess, [about] where I'm going to be playing it."
EDGE Analysis
The 35-year-old Johnson, a 13-year NFL veteran and two-time All-Pro selection, shouldn't have trouble finding a job next season, but it's unclear if the career-long Chief will remain in Kansas City. The linebacker saw a slight decline in playing time in 2017 and the Chiefs are able to save $8 million against the salary cap by cutting Johnson, so it may not behoove the organization to retain him. Johnson wrapped up the regular season with 71 tackles, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble in 15 games.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Sun 12/31/17 3:39 PM
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson will rest during Week 17's game against the Broncos, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson has accrued 71 tackles, seven pass breakups and one forced fumble through 15 games, and there's no reason to risk injury ahead of the playoffs. The Chiefs will instead deploy Kevin Pierre-Louis and Ramik Wilson to fill in at inside linebacker.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Tue 12/5/17 12:43 PM
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson collected nine tackles (five solo) during Sunday's game against the Jets.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson added a half tackle for a loss during the tilt, but most notably totaled a season-high mark for tackles. The 35-year-old linebacker is on pace for his worst campaign since 2009 and may finally be showing signs of his age in the middle of Kansas City's defense.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Mon 7/24/17 7:09 PM
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson (Achilles) will not start training camp on the physically unable to perform list, James Palmer of NFL.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson, who ruptured his left Achilles tendon last December, would figure to be healthy if he's in fact been deemed physically able to perform. However, don't be surprised if the Chiefs limit his reps in training camp and the preseason.
Derrick Johnson LB FA Tue 6/13/17 6:37 PM
Derrick Johnson
LB FA
Johnson (Achilles) ran individual drills during Tuesday's minicamp, Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports.
EDGE Analysis
Johnson is returning from his second Achilles tear in three years and his participation in individual drills is a major move in the right direction. Look for more updates on his status to come during training camp, as he'll likely continue with individual drills for the remainder of minicamp.