Despite being a talented player, Austin Johnson couldn’t find stability with any team during his career. He tested free agency as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career when he signed with the Giants.
In 2022, the DT signed with the Chargers but this year he became a free agent. Reportedly, Johnson has found a new home by signing a short-term deal with another franchise, where he will reunite with his former teammate.
Austin Johnson agrees to 1-year deal with Bills
Ian Rapoport confirmed that Austin Johnson has joined the Buffalo Bills. The DT has signed a one-year deal worth up to $4 million with the team.
Reportedly, two teams, the Bills and the Arizona Cardinals hosted Johnson for a visit. He left Arizona without a deal and will not be signing with the Cardinals.
However, his deal with the Bills has been confirmed. After joining the Bills, Austin will reunite with his former teammate DaQuan Jones. They both were teammates during Austin’s tenure with the Titans.
Last year, Austin Johnson played with the Chargers and started all 17 games. He logged 46 total tackles, two for loss, a quarterback hit, two tipped passes, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
The DT played almost all the games during his NFL career except in 2022 when he had to miss nine games due to injuries.
Now, Austin Johnson will be a valuable addition to the Bill’s roster and is expected to bring strength to the team’s defense.
How can Austin Johnson strengthen Bills defense?
With DaQuan Jones already on the team, Austin Johnson’s addition would complement Jones’ skills. When their skills are combined, they are expected to provide depth and versatility to the defensive line.
Johnson can play multiple positions along the defensive front, including nose tackle, 3-technique defensive tackle, or defensive end in odd front formations. These skills of the DT will add flexibility to the Bills’ defensive scheme.
Austin Johnson’s upper and lower body strength and his powerful grip allow him to effectively disrupt offensive linemen and control the line of scrimmage. He also excels at executing one or two-gap responsibilities and consistently wins against combination blocks.
The DT’s ability to bounce back into gaps after facing feed blocks demonstrates his resilience and determination on the field. His ability to push the pocket and generate interior pressure adds another dimension to the Bills’ pass rush.
Signing Austin Johnson might be the best move the Bills have made this offseason. With his talents and skills, he will make a significant impact on the team and help them improve for the upcoming season.
