Rams Coach Sean McVay: 'We All Love' John Johnson

Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay reveals how safety John Johnson has been acclimating to his former team.

The Los Angeles Rams welcomed an old friend back home on Aug. 7 by signing safety John Johnson to a one-year deal.

Johnson spent the first four years of his career in Los Angeles before signing a free-agency deal with the Cleveland Browns in 2021. However, the Browns released him to save on cap space, despite Johnson finishing with the second-most tackles on the team (101). After nearly five months on the market, Johnson returned to his old stomping grounds.

Johnson's best season of his career so far was with the Rams in 2018, as he recorded still-career highs in tackles (119), interceptions (four) and pass breakups (11). He was a major factor in their journey to the Super Bowl, as he hauled in the game-sealing interception in the infamous NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints.

Rams coach Sean McVay revealed what it's been like having his safety back in Los Angeles.

"He's got such a nice presence about himself," McVay said during Thursday's press conference. "Obviously, we all love ‘JJ’, but we're just kind of in the early stages of getting him acclimated and hopefully we'll get him more and more snaps."

McVay explained that Johnson won't be playing in Saturday's preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers since he's still getting accustomed. However, he may see the gridiron in the next preseason games against the Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos.

Nevertheless, McVay said that Johnson is adapting to the Rams play style faster than most due to his experienced mentality.

“Well, he looks good," McVay said. "He's continuing to mature as a man. I thought he was always mature beyond his years, even when we got him as a rookie (in 2017) out of Boston College. He's super smart and he has the ability to be able to play safety and dime (with the Rams)."

McVay said that Johnson donned the green dot in 2020. The green dot is a communication system put inside the helmet that allows a player (or two) to be the defensive signal caller. Under Johnson's leadership, the Rams defense allowed the fewest points and yards per game in the NFL that season.

It's unlikely that Johnson will wear the green dot this early, but McVay said that his "skillset" from his first tenure with the Rams "fits really well" with them now.

All things considered, McVay believes Johnson has come close to fully assimilating to the Rams clubhouse once again.

"He's kind of one of us," McVay said. "He understands exactly what this culture is about and I'm glad to be able to have him back and I'm looking forward to being able to get him out there."

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