As the Buffalo Bills‘ protection enters a brand new period, there have been questions on veteran nickel cornerback Taron Johnson’s position transferring ahead.
There’s been chatter concerning the dimension of his $11.4 million salary cap hit (per Spotrac) in 2026 together with uncertainty as to how nicely he’ll match into the Bills’ new defensive scheme.
After listening to Aaron Rodgers, nevertheless, it is not possible to suppose defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard would not need Johnson’s companies.
Johnson turned a Bills’ defensive staple below ex-head coach Sean McDermott. The 2018 fourth-round draft decide performed each the run and cross so successfully that Buffalo virtually used nickel as its base formation.
“I think Buffalo did this more than anybody, playing nickel to every personnel, because Taron Johnson is one of the best players in the league,” mentioned Rodgers throughout his newest Pat McAfee Show look. “He’s one of the most underrated players in the league. He can play a box linebacker and stop the run and he can cover guys.”
Successful observe report
Although he performed his fewest snaps (570) during the last six seasons in 2025, the 29-year-old Johnson remained an vital piece in McDermott’s defensive operation.
Johnson was credited with three solo tackles in the Week 13 highway win over Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers this previous December. In 2024, his interception sealed a 23-20 road win over Rodgers and the New York Jets.
TARON JOHNSON PICKS RODGERS.
: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/oQMZtfCNVr— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2024
“The guy’s played nickel, but he’s also basically been half of a WILL linebacker just the way our defense was constructed,” mentioned Bills’ common supervisor Brandon Beane on the NFL Combine.
Since being drafted 114 picks after Josh Allen in 2018, Johnson has made 113 appearances, together with 87 begins. He averages 71.5 tackles per season and has totaled 48 passes defensed and eight pressured fumbles.
Potential place change
Johnson, an All-Pro in 2023, is below contract by 2027. Considering he carries a $9.5 million useless cap cost if minimize this season, it is laborious to see the Bills transferring on from the versatile defender.
“Lot of love and respect for him [Johnson]. We’re still figuring all those pieces out. How they’ll use him,” mentioned Beane. “How much will he be on the field in Jim’s defense? We played him damn near 90 percent. Those are the conversations. How much does Jim foresee him being on the field in his defense? Or is he gonna have another linebacker in his place a little bit more?”
Even a transition to safety might be in the playing cards.
“Nothing’s off the table. We’ll look at everything and anything as we make these decisions,” mentioned Beane. “He’s a good football player, so you never want to rule anything out if you think that’s the best position for him.”
