This offseason has been a difficult one for the Los Angeles Rams as they have lost a number of key players due to their lack of cap space.
One player who remains under contract, at least for this upcoming year, is safety John Johnson III. He missed most of last year with a shoulder injury, but has been a solid piece of the Rams defense over the last three seasons.
Outside of cornerback Troy Hill, Johnson is the longest-tenured member of the Rams secondary. With that in mind, Johnson is hoping to become a leader in 2020 with the departure of so many other key players, via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times:
“I have to assume more of a leadership role, getting that secondary going,” Johnson said. “Have fun with it. Just don’t be too tight with it.”
Prior to the institution of social distancing, Johnson had been meeting with new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley to discuss plans for the upcoming season. Johnson will be starting alongside second-year player Taylor Rapp and will of course have Jalen Ramsey at one corner opposite of Hill.
Johnson, Rapp and Ramsey are some of the only key members of the secondary left from last year after players like Eric Weddle, Marqui Christian and Nickell Robey-Coleman moved on from the Rams. Even defensive tackle Michael Brockers had a contract in place with the Baltimore Ravens before it fell through and he re-signed with the Rams.
Johnson understands that even though football is a game, it’s also a business and believes the Rams will come out on top amidst all the change:
“It’s a business — that’s how things work,” Johnson said. “Guys want to go somewhere where they’re wanted, and they can play and they can support their families.
“So, I mean, it’s understandable. But I know we have a plan to replace those guys and some people will have to step up and it’s going to be fun to watch.”
The Rams have plenty of time and the NFL Draft to figure out who bests fits their roster. Johnson’s determination has hopefully set an example for other players who will need to step into a larger role for the Rams.
Johnson’s leadership could be paid in dividends as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Should he perform on the field, it would not be surprising for the Rams to reward him with an extension. He, Ramsey and Cooper Kupp are likely at top of the organization’s list of players to lock up long-term.
