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Taron Johnson
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Taron Johnson
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Taron Johnson (born July 27, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Weber State Wildcats[1] and was selected by the Bills in the 4th round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Key Information

Johnson primarily plays as a nickelback and was therefore an instrumental part of Bills head coach Sean McDermott's base nickel defense, one of the league's strongest units against the pass. He was named a second team All-Pro in 2023, namely for his play as a slot cornerback.

Early life

[edit]

Johnson played high school football at Sheldon High School in Sacramento, California. He was pulled up to the school’s varsity squad as a sophomore, one year earlier than the standard, owing to his exceptional talent. He would go on to be the school’s first ever NFL draft pick.[2]

College career

[edit]

Coming out of high school, Weber State was the only college that offered Johnson a football position, so he accepted it.[2]

Johnson started five games as a freshman at Weber State, and was a full-time starter thereafter. As a sophomore, he set a school record with 12 pass break-ups, and then tied the record the following season as a junior. As a senior in 2017, he totaled three interceptions, nine pass break-ups, and 49 tackles, earning the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year award[3] and consensus First Time All-American honors.[4]

Professional career

[edit]

Pre-draft

[edit]

He participated in the 2018 Senior Bowl and reportedly impressed scouts and team representatives at practices during the week of the Senior Bowl.[5] During the NFL Scouting Combine, Johnson performed all of the combined and positional drills. NFL.com lead analyst Lance Zierlein projected Johnson would be drafted in either the fifth or sixth round.[6]

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+1⁄8 in
(1.81 m)		 192 lb
(87 kg)		 30+7⁄8 in
(0.78 m)		 9+1⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		 4.50 s 1.54 s 2.60 s 4.27 s 6.86 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)		 9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)		 17 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8]

2018

[edit]

The Buffalo Bills selected Johnson in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.[9] He was the 14th cornerback drafted in 2018. Since being drafted, Johnson has become the Bills' starting nickel cornerback, as head coach Sean McDermott has utilized a base nickel defense.[10] His success as a run defender and in coverage has allowed the Bills to become one of the first teams to fully commit to the philosophy.[11]

On May 11, 2018, the Buffalo Bills signed Johnson to a four–year, $3.10 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $646,068.[12][13]

Throughout training camp, he competed for the job at starting nickelback against Phillip Gaines, Lafayette Pitts, and Breon Borders under defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.[14] Head coach Sean McDermott named Johnson the starting nickelback to begin the season and listed him as the fourth cornerback on the depth chart, behind Tre'Davious White, Vontae Davis, and Phillip Gaines.[15]

On September 9, 2018, Johnson made his professional regular season debut during the Buffalo Bills' season-opener at the Baltimore Ravens and made two solo tackles as they lost 3–47. He injured his shoulder during the game and was subsequently inactive as the Bills lost 20–31 against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 2. In Week 2, Vontae Davis announced his sudden retirement. Phillip Gaines would suffer an elbow injury and would be inactive for two games (Weeks 3–4). In Week 4, Johnson earned his first career start and made five combined tackles (four solo) and had a forced fumble and his first career sack on Aaron Rodgers for a six-yard loss during a 0–22 loss at the Green Bay Packers.[16] On October 7, 2018, he made four solo tackles, a pass deflection, and had his first career interception on a pass by Marcus Mariota to wide receiver Nick Williams during a 12–13 victory against the Tennessee Titans.[17] In Week 7, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles as the Bills were routed 5–37 at the Indianapolis Colts. On December 11, 2018, the Bills officially placed him on injured reserve and he was inactive for the remaining four games (Weeks 14–17) due to a shoulder injury that requires surgery that was plaguing him the entire season.[18] He finished his rookie season during the 2018 NFL season with a total of 42 combined tackles (38 solo), three pass deflections, one sack, a forced fumble, and one interception in 11 games and two starts.[19] At the conclusion of his rookie season, he received an overall grade of 69.6 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 45th amongst all qualifying cornerbacks in 2018.[20]

2019

[edit]

Throughout training camp, Johnson competed against Kevin Johnson to be the starting nickelback.[21] Head coach Sean McDermott named him the starting nickelback and listed him as the third cornerback on the depth chart, behind starting cornerbacks Tre'Davious White and Levi Wallace.[22]

He injured his hamstring at the start of the season and was subsequently inactive for four games (Weeks 2–5).[23] In Week 8, Johnson made three combined tackles (two solo) and had his lone sack of the season on Carson Wentz during a 13–31 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles. On November 28, 2019, Johnson had a season-high nine combined tackles (seven solo) and made one pass deflection during a 26–15 victory at the Dallas Cowboys. He finished the season with a total of 50 combined tackles (39 solo), five pass deflections, and one sack in 12 games and seven starts.[24] He received an overall grade of 60.6 from Pro Football Focus in 2019.[25]

The Buffalo Bills finished the 2019 NFL season second in the AFC East with a 10–6 record to clinch a Wildcard position. On January 4, 2020, Johnson started in his first career playoff game, but was limited to one pass deflection as the Bills lost 19–22 in overtime at the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild-Card Game.

2020

[edit]

He entered training camp slated as the starting nickelback. He was named the starting nickelback to begin the season and was listed as the third cornerback on the depth chart, behind Tre'Davious White and Josh Norman.[26]

Johnson with the Buffalo Bills in 2021.

In Week 3, Johnson collected a season-high ten combined tackles (nine solo) during a 35–32 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. In Week 12, he recorded six combined tackles (three solo) and set a season-high with two pass deflections during a 27–17 win against the Los Angeles Chargers. On December 13, 2020, Johnson had seven combined tackles (four solo), one pass deflection, and had his first career pick six after picking off a pass attempt thrown by Ben Roethlisberger to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and returned it 51–yards, scoring his the first touchdown of his career as the Bills defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 26–15 on Sunday Night Football.[27] He finished the season with 94 combined tackles (70 solo), seven pass deflections, one interception, one sack, and one touchdown in 16 games and 11 starts.[28] He received an overall grade of 61.5 from Pro Football Focus in 2020.[29]

The Buffalo Bills finished atop the AFC East in the 2020 NFL season with a 13–3 record. In the AFC Wild-Card Game, they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 27–24.[28] On January 16, 2021, Johnson appeared in the Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens and had six solo tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by Lamar Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews in the Bills' endzone and returned it 101–yards and scored a touchdown as the Bills won 17–3.[30] This return tied the longest in NFL playoff history with George Teague, and was later described as "franchise altering" by the press.[31] On January 24, 2021, he made five combined tackles (three solo) and two pass deflections during the Bills' 24–38 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.[28]

2021

[edit]

He returned as the Bills' starting nickelback and started alongside Tre'Davious White and Levi Wallace.[32] On September 12, 2021, Johnson started in the Buffalo Bills' home-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and had seven solo tackles and set a season-high with two pass deflections during their 16–23 loss.[33] He was inactive for a 40–0 victory against the Houston Texans in Week 4 due to a groin injury.[23] On October 9, 2021, the Buffalo Bills signed Johnson to a three–year, $24.00 million contract extension that included $13.75 million guaranteed, $10.50 million guaranteed upon signing, and an initial signing bonus of $4.00 million.[34][12]

In Week 5, he set a season-high with 12 combined tackles (eight solo) and made one pass deflection during a 38–20 win at the Kansas City Chiefs.[33] On November 14, 2021, Johnson had four solo tackles, one pass deflection, and had his only interception of the season on a pass by Mike White to wide receiver Keelan Cole during a 45–17 victory at the New York Jets.[33] He finished the season with 76 combined tackles (53 solo), seven pass deflections, a career-high three sacks, a forced fumble, and one interception in 16 games and 15 starts.[33] He received an overall grade of 69.6 from Pro Football Focus in 2021.[25]

2022

[edit]

He returned as the de facto starting nickelback under defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier in 2022. Head coach Sean McDermott named him the first-team nickelback to begin the season and listed him as the third cornerback on the depth chart, behind Dane Jackson and Christian Benford, as Tre'Davious White recovered from his torn ACL.[35]

On September 8, 2022, Johnson started in the Buffalo Bills' season-opener at the Los Angeles Rams and set a season-high with nine combined tackles (five solo) and had one pass deflection in their 31–10 victory.[36] In Week 6, Johnson had six combined tackles (four solo), one pass deflection, and secured the Bills' 24–20 victory at the Kansas City Chiefs by intercepting a pass by Patrick Mahomes to wide receiver Skyy Moore with only 56 seconds remaining in the game. In Week 13, he made four combined tackles (three solo) and set a season-high with two pass deflections during a 24–10 win at the New England Patriots.[36] He finished the season with a total of 90 combined tackles (67 solo), a career-high nine pass deflections, and one interception in 17 games and 16 starts.[36] Pro Football Focus had Johnson earn an overall grade of 68.3 in 2022.[37]

2023

[edit]

Head coach Sean McDermott took over the duties as defensive coordinator following the departure of Leslie Frazier. He retained Johnson as the starting nickelback and he started alongside Tre'Davious White and Christian Benford.[38] On October 15, 2023, Johnson collected a career-high 15 combined tackles (nine solo) and made one pass deflection during a 14–9 win against the New York Giants.[39] In Week 16, he had seven combined tackles (six solo) and set a season-high with two pass deflections during a 24–22 victory at the Los Angeles Chargers. He started in all 17 games for the first time in his career and had a career-high 98 combined tackles (72 solo), eight pass deflections, a career-high three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one sack.[39] He received an overall grade of 80.4 from Pro Football Focus in 2023, which ranked sixth amongst all cornerbacks. He was also voted second-team AP All-Pro.[40]

2024

[edit]

On March 18, 2024, the Buffalo Bills signed Johnson to a three–year, $30.75 million contract extension that includes $17.82 million guaranteed upon signing and a signing bonus of $7.25 million.[12] This deal will keep him under contract throughout the 2027 season.[41]

Head coach Sean McDermott promoted linebackers coach Bobby Babich to defensive coordinator following the 2023 NFL season. Johnson remained the Bills' starting nickelback and began the season alongside Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford following the departure of Tre'Davious White in free agency.[42]

On September 8, 2024, Johnson started in the Buffalo Bills' home-opener against the Arizona Cardinals, but suffered a forearm injury on the first drive in a collision with teammate Taylor Rapp on a tackle attempt during their 48–23 victory. He remained inactive for the next four games (Weeks 2–5) due to his injured forearm.[43] In Week 6, Johnson returned and made eight combined tackles (four solo), had one pass deflection, and secured the Bills' 23–20 win at the New York Jets with an interception on a pass attempt by Aaron Rodgers to wide receiver Mike Williams with 2:01 remaining in the fourth quarter.[44] On November 10, 2024, Johnson made three solo tackles, set a season-high with two pass deflections, made one sack, and returned an interception thrown by Joe Flacco to wide receiver Josh Downs for a 23–yard touchdown on the Colts' first offensive play of the game as the Bills won 30–20 at the Indianapolis Colts. His performance in Week 10 against the Colts earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[45] During the 2024 NFL season, Johnson had a total of 65 combined tackles (42 solo), five pass deflections, a career-high two interceptions, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one sack while appearing in 12 games with 12 starts.[46] He received an overall grade of 65.0 from Pro Football Focus in 2024, which ranked 82nd among 222 qualifying cornerbacks.[25]

2025

[edit]

In the offseason prior to the 2025 season, Johnson underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum he had suffered in the team's playoff matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in January.[47] Playing in 13 games, Johnson recorded 57 tackles, his lowest since 2019, four passes defensed, and no interceptions.[48]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Bold Career high
NFL record

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast TFL Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds Avg TD
2018 BUF 11 2 42 34 8 1 1.0 3 1 1 0 0.0 0 1 0 – – –
2019 BUF 12 7 50 39 11 2 1.0 5 0 – – – – 1 0 – – –
2020 BUF 16 11 94 70 24 5 1.0 7 1 51 51.0 51 1 1 0 – – –
2021 BUF 16 15 76 53 23 4 3.0 7 1 4 4.0 4 0 1 0 – – –
2022 BUF 16 15 90 67 23 6 0.0 9 1 2 2.0 2 0 0 1 0.0 0 0
2023 BUF 17 17 98 72 26 3 1.0 8 0 – – – – 3 1 0.0 0 0
2024 BUF 12 12 65 42 23 1 1.0 5 2 23 11.5 23 1 1 1 0.0 0 1
2025 BUF 13 8 57 34 23 1 0.0 4 0 – – – – 0 0 – – –
Career 113 87 572 411 161 23 8.0 48 6 80 13.3 51 2 8 3 0 0.0 1

Postseason

[edit]
Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast TFL Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR TD
2019 BUF 1 1 0 0 0 0 0.0 1 0 – – – – 0 0 –
2020 BUF 3 2 17 14 3 2 0.0 3 1 101 101.0 101 1 0 0 –
2021 BUF 2 2 12 9 3 1 1.0 0 0 – – – – 0 0 –
2022 BUF 2 2 13 9 4 1 0.0 2 0 – – – – 0 0 –
2023 BUF 2 2 8 5 3 0 0.0 0 0 – – – – 1 0 –
2024 BUF 3 2 11 7 4 0 0.0 1 0 – – – – 0 0 –
2025 BUF 2 1 8 7 1 1 0.0 0 0 – – – – 0 0 –
Career 15 12 69 51 18 5 1.0 7 1 101 101.0 101 1 1 0 0

Personal life

[edit]

Johnson married his wife, Meghan, in June 2023. Together, they have a son, and were reported to be expecting a second child in August 2025.[49]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Taron Johnson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Taron Johnson (born July 27, 1996) is an for the of the (). Standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 192 pounds, he primarily plays as a nickel , specializing in slot coverage. Johnson attended , where he majored in criminal justice and earned accolades as the Defensive Player of the Year in 2017, along with first-team All-Big Sky honors that season and second-team honors in 2016. The Bills selected him in the fourth round (121st overall) of the out of Weber State, marking him as the first player from his drafted that year. In his eight-season NFL career with the Bills as of 2025, Johnson has appeared in 107 games, recording 546 combined tackles, 8 sacks, 46 passes defended, 6 interceptions (including one returned for a ), and 8 forced fumbles. His standout 2023 season earned him second-team honors from the , recognizing his elite performance in the slot with 98 tackles, 0 interceptions, and 8 passes defended. In March 2024, he signed a three-year, $31 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid nickel back in the league at the time. In November 2025, the Bills restructured his contract to create space. Through the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season (8 games played), Johnson has contributed 36 tackles and 2 passes defended, helping anchor Buffalo's secondary amid their playoff pursuits. Known for his tackling prowess, ball skills, and versatility in zone and man coverage, Johnson has become a cornerstone of the Bills' defense under head coach .

Early years

Childhood and family

Taron Johnson was born on July 27, 1996, in Sacramento, California. He grew up in a close-knit family, the son of Baron Johnson, a military veteran who served in the Army Reserves as a medic and later in the Air Force. His mother, Trina Broadway-Johnson, came from the athletic Broadway family, known locally in Sacramento for producing multiple athletes, and she played a significant role in fostering his early competitive spirit before her death from breast cancer in 2004, when Taron was seven years old. Johnson has one sibling, an older sister named Treana, with whom he shared a strong family bond alongside his parents during his early years. From a young age, Johnson displayed a passion for sports, participating in , track, and , which highlighted his innate competitiveness and athletic versatility. His mother's influence from the Broadway athletic lineage encouraged this multi-sport involvement, helping him develop a love for competition that carried into his later pursuits. Johnson's military discipline also instilled resilience and structure in the family, shaping Johnson's approach to challenges in youth athletics. Johnson attended Sheldon High School in Sacramento, where he began to channel his energies more specifically toward football while building on his foundational experiences in other sports.

High school career

Taron Johnson attended Sheldon High School in , where he excelled as a multi-sport , participating in football, , and events. In football, he played primarily as a and , showcasing versatility that highlighted his speed and athleticism. His family from the Sacramento area supported his athletic pursuits throughout high school. During his senior season in 2013, Johnson emerged as a standout performer, leading the Huskies with 52 receptions for 1,148 yards and 12 touchdowns as a receiver. Over his four-year high school career, he amassed 75 receptions for 1,506 yards and 16 touchdowns offensively, along with notable defensive contributions that earned him All-Metro and All-League honors, as well as the All-Purpose Player of the Year award, along with 161 total tackles, 5 interceptions, and 3 sacks on defense. These performances underscored his role as a key contributor before any considerations of a position switch at the college level. Johnson also participated in , appearing in three games during his high school tenure, though his primary focus remained on football. In , he competed in relay events, including the 4x400-meter relay, contributing to team efforts in the Sac-Joaquin Section. His athletic profile included combine testing results such as a 4.70-second , a 4.44-second 20-yard shuttle, and a 31.8-inch , which demonstrated his speed but were not elite enough to attract widespread attention. Initially recruited as a due to his speed and receiving production, Johnson's limited testing metrics contributed to under-recruitment by major college programs, as he was not ranked by major scouting services. He received only one Division I scholarship offer, from , after Sacramento State withdrew an initial offer. This path reflected the challenges of his recruitment despite his on-field achievements at Sheldon.

College career

Recruitment and early years

Johnson signed with in February 2014 as a , marking his only Division I scholarship offer after an under-recruited high school career at Sheldon High School in . Upon arriving on campus that fall, Johnson transitioned to to meet team needs at the position, a move guided by first-year head coach Jay Hill, who had a track record of developing defensive backs. As a true in 2014, Johnson earned significant playing time, starting five games and contributing 31 tackles, one , nine pass breakups, and one forced while helping the Wildcats' defense during a rebuilding 2-10 season under Hill. In his year of 2015, Johnson continued to develop with 44 tackles, two s, and 12 pass breakups, establishing himself as a key rotational player in the secondary. During the 2016 junior season, his role expanded further, as he posted 48 tackles—including five for loss—12 pass breakups, and one fumble recovery, showcasing improved instincts and coverage skills. At Weber State, Johnson pursued a degree in .

Senior season and awards

In his senior season at Weber State in , Taron Johnson emerged as a standout , anchoring the Wildcats' secondary during a historic campaign. Playing in all 12 games, he recorded 49 tackles, including three tackles for loss, three interceptions, nine pass breakups, two quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His performance was instrumental in Weber State's 11-3 overall record and 7-1 conference mark, which clinched a co-Big Sky Championship—the program's first since 2007—and earned the team a berth in the FCS , where they advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to Northern Iowa. This marked one of the most successful seasons in Weber State football history, with the Wildcats ranking among the nation's top defenses in scoring (17.6 points allowed per game) and total defense (343 yards allowed per game). Johnson's exceptional play earned him the Big Sky Defensive MVP award, making him just the fourth player in program history to receive the honor and the first since 2004; he was also a unanimous first-team All-Big Sky selection. His contributions extended to national recognition, as he was named a consensus first-team All-American by multiple outlets, including the and STATS FCS, highlighting his shutdown coverage and ball skills against Big Sky receivers. Over his four-year college career from 2014 to 2017, Johnson appeared in 47 games, amassing 172 tackles, six interceptions, and a school-record 42 pass breakups, establishing himself as one of the top defensive backs in Weber State history.

Professional career

Draft and rookie season

Johnson was selected by the in the fourth round (121st overall) of the , marking the first time a Weber State player had been drafted since 2010. His selection was bolstered by his unanimous All-American honors from his senior college season, which highlighted his ball skills and tackling ability. Entering the draft process, Johnson measured 5 feet 11 inches tall and 192 pounds at the , where he ran the in 4.50 seconds. At Weber State's pro day, he further demonstrated his athleticism with a 4.28-second 20-yard shuttle, positioning him as a versatile slot corner prospect despite his smaller frame. Scouts noted his quickness and physicality in coverage, though his straight-line speed was considered average for the position. As a , Johnson appeared in 11 games for the Bills, starting two, primarily adapting to the corner role in Leslie Frazier's scheme. He recorded 42 total tackles (34 solo), one , and three pass deflections, contributing to the Bills' improved secondary that helped the team finish 9-7. Johnson made his debut in Week 1 against the , logging five tackles in a 47-3 loss while showing early promise in run support. A highlight of his rookie campaign came in Week 5 against the , where he secured his first career by undercutting a pass intended for wide receiver , returning it 24 yards to set up a Bills . Throughout the season, Johnson embraced the physical demands of the position, frequently blitzing and tackling ball carriers despite his size, which earned him praise for his toughness and earned a 68.2 rookie grade from through the first four weeks. His season was cut short by shoulder surgery in December, limiting him to the regular season finale.

2019–2021 seasons

In the 2019 season, Johnson solidified his role in the ' secondary, appearing in 12 games and starting seven as a . He recorded 50 total tackles (39 solo), one sack, and one forced , contributing to the team's defensive efforts during their return to the for the first time since 2017. His performance helped the Bills secure a wild-card over the before a divisional-round loss to the Houston Texans. The 2020 season marked a significant evolution for Johnson, who transitioned to a full-time role amid the pandemic's disruptions to training camps and scheduling. Playing all 16 games and starting 11, he amassed career highs with 94 total tackles (62 solo), one sack, one , and one forced , while also deflecting seven passes. The Bills finished 13-3 to win the for the first time in 25 years, advancing through the wild-card and divisional rounds with Johnson's key contributions, including a 101-yard return for a off in the divisional playoff win against the —one of the longest plays in Bills postseason history. Buffalo fell to the in the . Johnson continued his upward trajectory in 2021, starting 15 of 16 games as the Bills' primary slot defender and registering 76 total tackles (42 solo), a career-best three sacks, one , and one forced . His versatility bolstered Buffalo's top-ranked defense, which propelled the team to another title and a 11-6 record. In the playoffs, the Bills defeated the in the wild card before rallying past in the divisional round, only to lose a high-scoring to the Chiefs.

2022–2023 seasons

In the season, Taron Johnson appeared in all 16 games for the , starting 15, and recorded 90 total tackles (67 solo), one , and nine pass deflections. His came in Week 6 against the , where he picked off a pass from for two yards, contributing to a 20-17 road loss despite the defensive effort. Johnson also had a career-high nine tackles in the season opener against the , helping anchor a Bills secondary that supported the team's second-ranked scoring defense, allowing just 16.3 points per game. The unit ranked fourth in total yards allowed at 289.5 per game, with Johnson's slot coverage playing a key role in limiting opponents' passing efficiency. Johnson's performance in 2022 showcased his versatility, including a fumble recovery in Week 5 against the , which helped secure a 38-3 victory. He registered multiple pass deflections in a Week 12 win over the , further highlighting his ball skills in a season where the Bills advanced to the playoffs as champions. Entering 2023, Johnson built on his momentum, starting all 17 games and achieving career highs with 98 total tackles (72 solo), one sack, and eight pass deflections, earning him Second-Team honors from the . His standout game came in Week 6 against the , where he tallied a career-high 15 tackles in a 14-9 defensive battle win, underscoring his run support in the slot. Johnson notched his lone sack of the season in Week 8 versus the , dropping for a six-yard loss during a 24-18 victory that bolstered the Bills' 7-2 start. The Bills' defense, bolstered by Johnson's contributions, ranked ninth in total yards allowed at 300.5 per game and sixth in scoring defense at 18.3 points per game, helping the team secure another playoff berth. Additional highlights included a forced in Week 3 against the and two pass deflections in Week 15 versus the , demonstrating his impact across run defense and coverage.

2024–2025 seasons

In the 2024 season, Taron Johnson appeared in 12 games for the , recording 65 combined tackles (42 solo), one sack, two interceptions, five passes defended, and one forced . One of his interceptions was returned for a , highlighting his playmaking ability in the nickel corner role as the Bills' defense ranked among the league's top units in points allowed. Johnson adapted seamlessly following his contract extension, maintaining consistency despite the Bills' transition to a new , with his coverage limiting opposing quarterbacks to a under 80 when targeted. Entering the 2025 season, Johnson continued as a key slot corner in Buffalo's defense, which underwent matchup-driven adjustments amid roster shifts, including reduced nickel personnel usage and occasional substitutions with linebackers for specific formations. As of Week 11 of the 2025 season, Johnson has appeared in 7 games with 3 starts, recording 31 combined tackles (22 solo) and 2 passes defended, though he recorded no interceptions. A standout moment came in Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, where Johnson deflected a crucial fourth-down pass from quarterback Michael Penix Jr., preventing a potential score and aiding Buffalo's defensive stand despite the 24-14 loss. In Week 8 versus the Carolina Panthers, he contributed 4 tackles in a Bills victory, helping stabilize the secondary against spread offenses. Johnson's 2025 campaign was interrupted by a , causing him to miss Weeks 9 and 10. He returned in Week 11 versus the , where he contributed 6 tackles in a 44-32 win. Ahead of the November 5 trade deadline, the Bills restructured Johnson's contract on November 3 by converting a portion of his 2025 base salary into a , creating $1.75 million in cap space while ensuring he remained with the team amid cap constraints and roster management. This move underscored his integral role in the defense, which relied on his versatility despite ongoing personnel tweaks. He was limited in practice ahead of Week 12 due to the ongoing .

Contracts and extensions

Johnson was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3.1 million, including a signing bonus of $646,068. Following his Second-Team All-Pro recognition in 2023, Johnson signed a three-year extension with the Bills on March 18, 2024, valued at $30.75 million, which included $17.825 million in fully guaranteed money and made him the highest-paid nickel back in the NFL. On November 3, 2025, the Bills restructured Johnson's contract by converting a portion of his base salary into a , creating $1.75 million in additional cap space for the 2025 season. This adjustment resulted in Johnson's 2025 earnings comprising a base salary of $3,008,333, a of $4,250,000, a restructure bonus of $2,191,667, and a workout bonus of $150,000, for a total cash payout of approximately $10.11 million.

Awards and honors

College accolades

During his senior season at in 2017, Taron Johnson was named the Defensive Player of the Year, becoming only the fourth player in program history to earn that distinction and the first since 2004. This award recognized his standout performance as a , where he recorded 49 tackles, three interceptions, and nine pass breakups, contributing to a defense that helped the Wildcats achieve a co-championship. Johnson also earned consensus first-team All-American honors in 2017, receiving recognition from major selectors including the , (AFCA), , and HERO Sports. His selection as a unanimous first-team All-Big Sky performer that year further highlighted his dominance, as he was the only defensive player to receive every first-team vote from conference coaches. In 2016, as a junior, Johnson garnered second-team All-Big Sky honors after starting all 11 games and leading the conference with 12 pass breakups, a mark tied for the most in Weber State history at the time. These individual accolades were part of his broader three-time All-Big Sky recognition, which included honorable mention honors as a sophomore in 2015. Johnson's contributions extended to team success, particularly in 2017 when he served as a captain and helped lead Weber State to a school-record 11 wins, a No. 8 national ranking in the FCS, the Big Sky co-title, and two playoff victories before a quarterfinal exit. Over his career, he set the program record with 42 pass breakups and appeared in 47 games, solidifying his legacy as one of the top defensive backs in Wildcats history. In 2025, Johnson was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.

Professional achievements

In 2023, Taron Johnson earned second-team honors from the as a slot cornerback, marking the first such recognition in his career and highlighting his role in Buffalo's defensive scheme. This accolade came after a season in which he contributed significantly to the Bills' secondary, though he has not yet been selected to a . Johnson received AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for Week 10 of the 2024 season, following a standout performance against the that included an returned for a on the game's opening play. This marked his first such weekly award in the . In the playoffs, he made a pivotal contribution with a 101-yard return for a in the 2021 AFC Divisional Round victory over the , helping Buffalo advance to the conference championship.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Taron Johnson's regular season statistics span his entire career with the from 2018 to 2025, encompassing 107 with 82 starts. Over this period, he has amassed 546 combined tackles (399 solo and 147 assisted), 8 sacks, 6 interceptions, 46 passes defended, 8 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries. His performance has been recognized in advanced metrics, including a 75.9 PFF coverage grade in the slot since 2023, ranking eighth among cornerbacks with at least 38 pass stops during that span.
YearTeamGGSCombSoloAstSkIntPDFFFR
2018BUF112423481.01310
2019BUF1275039111.00510
2020BUF16119470241.01710
2021BUF16157653233.01710
2022BUF16159067230.01901
2023BUF17179872261.00831
2024BUF12126542231.02511
2025BUF73312290.00200*
*2025 statistics are partial as of November 16, 2025.

Postseason

Taron Johnson has participated in 13 postseason games with the Buffalo Bills from the 2019 to 2024 seasons, recording 61 combined tackles (44 solo, 17 assisted), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, and 7 pass deflections. His sole postseason interception occurred during the 2021 AFC Divisional Round victory over the Baltimore Ravens on January 16, 2021, where he returned a pass from Lamar Jackson 101 yards for a touchdown, marking one of the longest interception returns in playoff history and providing a pivotal score in the Bills' 17–3 win. Johnson also recorded his lone playoff sack in the 2022 AFC Divisional Round loss to the on January 23, 2022, and forced a fumble in the 2023 AFC Wild Card Round win against the on January 15, 2024. The following table details Johnson's game-by-game postseason statistics:
DateTmOppResultCombSoloAstSckFFIntYdsInt TDPD
2020-01-04BUF@ HOUL 19-220000.000001
2021-01-09BUFINDW 27-246510.000000
2021-01-16BUFBALW 17-36600.00110111
2021-01-24BUF@ KANL 24-385320.000002
2022-01-15BUFNWEW 47-175410.000000
2022-01-23BUF@ KANL 36-427521.000000
2023-01-15BUFMIAW 34-317610.000001
2023-01-22BUFCINL 10-276330.000001
2024-01-15BUFPITW 31-172110.010000
2024-01-21BUFKANL 24-276420.000000
2025-01-12BUFW 31-75320.000000
2025-01-19BUFBALW 27-253210.000001
2025-01-26BUF@ KANL 29-323210.000000
Postseason Career Totals (13 games): 61 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 (101 yards, 1 ), 7 pass deflections.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Taron Johnson married Meghan DiMarco, now Meghan Johnson, on June 10, 2023, in a lavish ceremony at the Malibu Dream Resort in . The event was curated by Pure Lavish Events, featuring a luxurious coastal setting that reflected the couple's vision for their special day. The couple, who had been dating for several years, announced their in June 2022 after Johnson proposed to his longtime girlfriend. They welcomed their first child, a son named Sevyn, in 2024. Johnson and Meghan share two children as of late 2025 and prioritize a private family life, with Meghan often providing support during his demanding schedule with the . The family also includes their , Deuce.

Off-field activities

Johnson has engaged in various community service efforts in Buffalo, including volunteering to serve meals at the City Mission alongside teammates , Spencer Brown, Tommy Doyle, Cam Lewis, Greg Rousseau, and Ryan Van Demark in May 2025. The Bills' Help Buffalo initiative, which aids victims and families affected by the 2022 Tops supermarket mass shooting, includes the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund. In May 2022, Johnson joined a team visit to Buffalo's East Side to volunteer and honor the victims, where he addressed the media on the importance of bringing hope to the community through such actions. Johnson has shared his personal story to inspire youth in sports, notably through a 2023 media feature titled "Young Taron's Journey," which details his path from Sacramento's Del Paso Heights neighborhood to the , highlighting the mentors and challenges that shaped his career. In media appearances during the 2025 season, Johnson has discussed his emphasis on consistency and career longevity, such as in an October 13 following a Week 6 loss, where he reflected on refining his performance as a nickel back. He further elaborated on focusing on details and bouncing back after the team's bye week in an October 23 interview. No public records indicate specific endorsement deals or business ventures for Johnson tied to his role as a nickel back.

References

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  74. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpSX-Yk4868
  75. https://www.buffalobills.com/video/taron-johnson-focusing-on-the-details
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