Seahawks WR Cade Johnson Keeping 'Full Head of Steam' in Year 3

Seizing the moment snatching passes from Geno Smith, Cade Johnson made the most of his first chances to play for the Seattle Seahawks in the midst of a playoff race last January and hopes to keep momentum going heading into his third year with the team.

RENTON, Wash. - In many aspects, Seattle Seahawks receiver Cade Johnson's first year in the NFL didn't go according to plan.

Despite impressing at the Senior Bowl against top-tier competition and posting brilliant numbers at FCS power South Dakota State as a wideout and kick returner, Johnson didn't hear his name called at the 2020 NFL Draft. After signing with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent, he dealt with nagging injuries during his first offseason program and wound up spending the entire season on the practice squad.

But while Johnson's career may not have gotten off to the start he anticipated without seeing any game action as a rookie, the Nebraska native received an unbeknownst benefit from spending extensive time on the practice squad.

Throughout his first year with the Seahawks, Johnson ran routes on the ever-so-important scout team, executing other team's plays to help the first-team defense prepare for game day. Under center, veteran Geno Smith served as the scout team quarterback with Russell Wilson receiving all of the reps with the starters, and as the season progressed, the two developed a strong rapport on the practice field.

"We started to build that chemistry where it was like, you know, we're running other teams plays, but at the end of the day, I'm looking at his body language and what he's feeling and I just kind of read him off of that," Johnson said prior to Friday's training camp session.

At the time, Johnson's chemistry with Smith was an afterthought with Wilson the iron man entrenched as the starter. But the following March, Seattle dealt the nine-time Pro Bowler to Denver for a king's ransom of draft picks and three veteran players, including quarterback Drew Lock, ushering in a new era for the franchise with Smith now competing to be Wilson's successor.

With Smith beating out Lock, even though Johnson opened his second season back on the practice squad, he had a built-in advantage that would soon work in his favor. After Dee Eskridge landed on injured reserve with a fractured hand in October, the former Bellevue West High School star finally got his chance to suit up for a regular season game the following week, though he only played a single offensive snap in a win over the Giants.

Fast forwarding to Week 15, star receiver Tyler Lockett suffered a fractured finger that required surgery, putting his short-term status in question, while Marquise Goodwin landed on injured reserve. While Johnson didn't get the call to be promoted from the practice squad the ensuing week against the Chiefs, even with Lockett coming back after missing only one game, the Seahawks elevated him for the final two games and all of the reps he had with Smith in 2021 suddenly became relevant.

Cade Johnson's first two career NFL catches went for first downs as the Seattle Seahawks beat the Los Angeles Rams to lock up a playoff spot in Week 18 / © Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Targeted twice with no catches against the New York Jets in Week 17, Johnson emerged as an unlikely contributor in Seattle's playoff-clinching season finale victory against the Los Angeles Rams. He made his first career reception in the second quarter, turning a seven-yard hitch into an 11-yard gain and a new set of downs. Late in the fourth quarter, he moved the chains again on a 10-yard catch from Smith to start what looked like a game-winning drive, only for kicker Jason Myers to hit the right crossbar on a 46-yard field goal attempt moments later.

It was a truly special moment for Johnson, who not only registered his first career receptions, but did so snagging passes from the resurgent Smith, who wound up throwing 30 touchdown passes, making the Pro Bowl, and winning Comeback Player of the Year. Only a year after they were stuck on the scout team, two players who had been counted out, albeit for different reasons, connected on the biggest stage with everything on the line.

"People don't realize Geno was not your typical scout team quarterback. So it was so cool to see him transform," Johnson smiled. "Just being able to catch balls from him last year, it was one of a kind because I mean, we just had that built for my rookie year. He's been a great mentor of mine and I appreciate that."

While neither of Johnson's catches led to points, Smith's willingness to throw his direction in critical situations showed his faith and trust in the young receiver. One week later, in the heat of a wild card playoff contest against the 49ers, Johnson came through with three catches for 39 yards on three targets in a 41-32 loss, demonstrating his reliability once again in defeat.

"It was a great experience and my family came and they kind of prepped me for it like the week before, like I was playing against the Jets," Johnson recalled. "My role just kept carrying over to the next week and they told me they believed in me and my abilities and so it was an amazing experience. I felt really comfortable out there. And once it started, the whole thing kept going. The stage wasn't too big for me or anything."

On the heels of his two breakthrough performances, the Seahawks re-signed Johnson to a reserve/future deal in January. After a quick recovery from a patellar tendon injury that was bothering him late in the season, he got back to work with his trainer in Omaha, excited for the opportunity to continue improving and build off of the strong finish to his second season.

Cade Johnson snagging a corner route during individual drill work. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/ZK2mZCQ5Q8

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) July 29, 2023

Upon his arrival to his third training camp, Johnson faces increased competition for a roster spot, as Seattle invested a first-round pick in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, re-signed veteran Cody Thompson, and signed a pair of intriguing undrafted wideouts in Matt Landers and Jake Bobo. With Eskridge and Dareke Young also returning for their third and second seasons respectively, the team has as talented and deep of a receiving corps as any team in the NFL.

But after proving what he could do when given the chance in high-stakes contests last January, Johnson remains confident in his ability to earn a spot on Seattle's final roster. Adopting the mindset he learned watching Smith and only concerning himself with what he can control between the lines, he's banking on his refined route running, chemistry with the quarterback, and special teams capabilities to help him get over the hump and avoid another practice squad designation this time around.

"I just want to come and show I'm a consistent player and just work every day. I know with the league and the numbers game and all that stuff, I feel confident in my abilities and what Seattle has for me. I'm going into year three here, and just just to be here, coming out as an undrafted rookie and battling injuries when I first came in and stuff like that, I really just want to like be able to make an impact on special teams and offense. I'm really looking forward to this preseason and just keeping like a full head of steam and just going up."

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