In early July last summer, the Rams brought back safety John Johnson III for a third stint with the team. Although other additions had already been made to the secondary, Johnson's return solidified depth for a safety group that also included early free agency signee Kam Curl and 2024 third-round draft pick Kam Kinchens, plus returnee and eventual 2024 team captain Quentin Lake.
It was also well-received by teammates like Lake, knowing what that veteran presence provided to the secondary in 2023.
Although Johnson's return didn't materialize with a starting role right away, he was still effective as a reserve, as evidenced by his interception against the Lions in Week 1. Becoming a starter again the following week, a shoulder injury sustained in that Week 2 game against the Cardinals would effectively sideline him for the remainder of the season. He was activated off of Injured Reserve for the Rams' Wild Card playoff game against the Vikings, but only played four snaps. He was then inactive for the Divisional Round against the Eagles.
The return timeline for Johnson was in flux throughout the season in part because Los Angeles would eventually use seven of their eight IR return slots – teams can use up to eight during the regular season, but gain two more if they make the playoffs – and having to juggle that with both Johnson and linebacker Troy Reeder (hamstring) having the potential to return.
Now, Johnson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins on March 12.
The eight-year veteran's resume, especially during his time with the Rams, speaks for itself. In six seasons with L.A., he's recorded 11 interceptions, 39 passes defensed and 400 total tackles. Lake's reaction to his return at the start of training camp last summer also showed how well-liked and respected he is as a teammate. Re-signing Johnson would keep a valuable voice on the roster.
If Los Angeles doesn't bring Johnson back for a fourth stint, they would have multiple options internally: Lake will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, Curl will enter the final year of the two-year deal he signed in free agency last year, and Kinchens will carry over experience from playing in all 17 games and both playoff games—including five starts—heading into his second season. In terms of pursuing a replacement externally, the Rams historically have leaned on the draft instead of free agency – the exception of course being Johnson's own situation the last two summers. Rookie safety Jaylen McCollough also played in all 17 regular season games plus both playoff games as a rookie. Including the playoffs, Lake and Curl handled each of the starting safety positions in all but two games last season: Week 2 (when Johnson started) and Week 18 (when starters and significant contributors rested; Kinchens and McCollough got the nod that week).
