Brian Johnson (kicker)

Brian Johnson (born March 5, 1999) is an American former professional football placekicker. He played college football at Virginia Tech and signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Johnson was also a member of the New Orleans Saints and Washington Football Team.

Brian Johnson
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Johnson with the Washington Football Team in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1999-03-05) March 5, 1999 (age 25)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school:Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.)
College:Virginia Tech (2016–2020)
Position:Placekicker
Undrafted:2021
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Field goals:10
Field goals attempted:10
Field goal %:100
Longest field goal:52
Touchbacks:16
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

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Johnson was a member of the Virginia Tech Hokies for five seasons, redshirting as a true freshman. He finished his collegiate career with 54 field goals on 71 attempts (76.1%) and all 131 of extra points he attempted.[1]

Professional career

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Chicago Bears (first stint)

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Johnson was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2021.[2] He was waived on August 31, 2021, during final roster cuts and re-signed to the team's practice squad the following day.[3][4]

New Orleans Saints

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Johnson was signed by the New Orleans Saints off the Bears' practice squad on October 12, 2021.[5] He made his professional debut on October 25, 2021, against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football and made a field goal with 1:56 left in the fourth quarter to put the Saints ahead in a 13-10 win.[6] He was waived on November 19, 2021.[7]

Chicago Bears (second stint)

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On November 23, 2021, Johnson signed with the Bears’ practice squad.[8]

Washington Football Team / Commanders

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Johnson signed with the Washington Football Team on November 30, 2021, after former Virginia Tech teammate, Joey Slye, was placed on injured reserve.[9] In his first game with the team, Johnson made a game-winning 48-yard field goal in a 17-15 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.[10] Johnson played in 3 games before Slye returned and resumed duties as the starting kicker. The team placed an exclusive-rights free agent tender on him on March 16, 2022,[11] which went unsigned before he was released on June 13, 2022.[12]

On August 27, 2022, the Carolina Panthers hosted Johnson for a workout.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Mosley, Kyle T. (October 12, 2021). "Saints Sign K Brian Johnson, Per Report". SI.com. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  2. ^ Mayer, Larry (May 13, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears ink undrafted free agents". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Finley, Patrick; Lieser, Jason (September 1, 2021). "Roster tracker: Whom the Bears are cutting, keeping and signing". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Mayer, Larry (September 1, 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears sign 13 players to practice squad". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  5. ^ Simmons, Myles (October 12, 2021). "Saints signing Brian Johnson off Bears practice squad". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Booth, Tim (October 25, 2021). "Brian Johnson's game-winner, Kamara's monster night lifts Saints past Seahawks". CBC.ca. Associated Press. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  7. ^ Williams, Charean (November 19, 2021). "Saints sign Brett Maher to active roster, cut Brian Johnson". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  8. ^ Mishler-Elmore, Beth (November 23, 2021). "Bears place DB on Injured Reserve, Re-Sign Familiar Face". Heavy.com. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  9. ^ Manning, Bryan (November 30, 2021). "Washington places Joey Slye on IR, signs another former Virginia Tech kicker to replace him". USAToday.com. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Dajani, Jordan (December 5, 2021). "Raiders vs. Washington score: Taylor Heinicke leads another game-winning drive, defeats Las Vegas on road". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  11. ^ Selby, Zach (March 16, 2022). "Commanders tender 4 players, release S Landon Collins". Commanders.com. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  12. ^ "Commanders release K Brian Johnson, DB Will Adams". Commanders.com. June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  13. ^ "Panthers reportedly working out former Saints, Commanders kicker". pantherswire.usatoday.com. August 27, 2022. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
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