Safety John Johnson returns to Rams to reinforce defense: source

The Rams are dipping back into their recent history to reinforce their 2023 defense.

Safety John Johnson III signed with the Rams on Monday, a source confirmed. Johnson, 27, is rejoining the team that selected him in the third round of the 2017 draft and where he spent the first four seasons of his NFL career, pending a physical.

John had just visited the Rams’ training camp at UC Irvine on Sunday, signing autographs for fans following the practice.

The free safety started 11 games as a rookie with 11 pass breakups before finishing second on the team in 2018 with 119 tackles. He memorably intercepted Drew Brees in overtime of the NFC championship that season, setting up the Rams’ game-winning drive that set up a Super Bowl appearance.

After missing much of the 2019 season with a shoulder injury, he returned to form with a 105-tackle campaign in 2020 before signing in free agency with the Browns, with whom he started 29 games the past two seasons.

Johnson’s return to Los Angeles after being cut by the Browns in March is a needed reinforcement for the Rams’ secondary.

The team has one safety — Jordan Fuller — with more than two years of NFL experience. Only defensive tackle Aaron Donald (nine) and corner Ahkello Witherspoon (six) on the defense have played as many seasons as the late free agent acquisition. Johnson is a capable run stopper who is also active in the passing game, with 41 career passes defended and 12 interceptions.