In the thrilling world of NFL roster maneuvers, the Detroit Lions face a massive challenge: replacing star safety Brian Branch, who's sidelined for the season due to a devastating torn Achilles tendon – that painful injury where the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone snaps, often keeping players out for months or longer. But here's where it gets intriguing: they're eyeing an old acquaintance from the Los Angeles Rams, former safety John Johnson, for a potential comeback.
As Detroit scouts around for answers at that crucial safety spot, an unexpected name popped up on the NFL's trade and free agency chatter. On Monday, the Lions welcomed John Johnson – a third-round pick from the Rams back in 2017 – for a visit, signaling serious interest. What's making this even more compelling is the deep personal connection: Lions general manager Brad Holmes played a pivotal role in getting Johnson drafted by L.A. back then. To illustrate, here's what Rams GM Les Snead shared about that moment, as reported by the Detroit Free Press. (https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2021/01/17/detroit-lions-news-brad-holmes-general-manager-les-snead-rams/4189923001/)
'He was a massive fan of John Johnson. We'd reached that tricky late third round, and the top contenders at positions we desperately needed had already been snatched up. So, you're at that crossroads: Do you gamble on a player who fits our immediate gaps but doesn't excite you as much, or do you go with someone you're truly passionate about, even if the fit isn't perfect for right now? And I distinctly recall Brad saying, "If we pick John Johnson, we won't regret it. He'll deliver big time. Let's prioritize conviction over sheer necessity." In those situations, you heed the insight.'
Johnson didn't disappoint during his time with the Rams. As a rookie, he stepped in as a starter for 11 games, racking up 75 tackles, deflecting 11 passes, and snagging an interception. Over the following three seasons, he started an additional 37 contests for L.A., showcasing his reliability. By 2021, he inked a hefty three-year deal worth $33.75 million with the Cleveland Browns – a contract the Lions reportedly pursued during Holmes' debut year in Detroit, only to be edged out by Cleveland. (https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2021/3/15/22332516/nfl-free-agency-news-john-johnson-signs-browns-not-detroit-lions)
His stint in Cleveland lasted just two years before salary cap pressures forced his exit. He bounced back to the Rams for the next couple of seasons, serving as a valuable reserve. Across his career, Johnson's logged 105 games, starting 89 of them, with impressive totals of 562 tackles, 48 pass deflections, and 15 interceptions.
And this is the part most people miss: despite his resume, Johnson hasn't played since 2024. He suffered a hairline fracture in his shoulder blade during Week 2 of that year, which is essentially a small crack in the bone that can be incredibly painful and limit movement, akin to a stress fracture in runners. He made a late comeback for the Rams' postseason push but barely saw the field, managing just four snaps in their Wild Card matchup. Now, he's still without a team, and to add another layer, he faced a three-game suspension for the 2025 season due to undisclosed reasons.
On Monday, the Lions added another layer to their safety plans by signing free agent Damontae Kazee to their practice squad (https://www.prideofdetroit.com/detroit-lions-news/151855/report-lions-signing-former-interception-leader-after-brian-branch-injury), which might suggest they've chosen him over Johnson. When Lions head coach Dan Campbell addressed the team's approach to the safety position amid Branch's absence – and with Thomas Harper dealing with a concussion (a head injury causing symptoms like dizziness or confusion) and Kerby Joseph nursing a knee issue (potentially a ligament strain or cartilage problem) – he didn't bring up Johnson at all.
'(Avonte) Maddox stepped in for Branch recently, and we were impressed – he gave it everything, which is why he's on our roster. He's versatile, capable of playing nickel back or safety, and he extinguished a lot of defensive fires, making key stops. That's a positive sign,' Campbell explained. 'We've got Maddox, Daniel Thomas in the mix, and Erick Hallett has experience there too. We'll evaluate Kerby Joseph's progress and give him practice time. We also brought in Kazee on the practice squad to explore his potential. We're well-equipped, folks.'
Yet, despite these moves, signing Johnson remains a possibility. Given Holmes' strong personal endorsement from years ago, it's not out of the question – and this could be where opinions divide sharply. Is Holmes letting a past bias cloud his judgment, or is this a savvy move to bring in a proven talent with a direct connection? Some might argue that Johnson's age and recent injuries make him a risky gamble, while others see it as a loyal bet on a player Holmes believes in.
But here's where it gets controversial: Should teams prioritize personal favorites over purely strategic fits, potentially jeopardizing team chemistry or ignoring younger, fresher options?
What do you think, fans? Is the Lions' potential play for John Johnson a stroke of genius or a nostalgic misstep? Do you agree that Holmes' affinity could pay off, or is it time to focus on new blood like Kazee? Share your thoughts in the comments – let's debate this NFL decision and see if we can predict Detroit's next move!
