This past Wednesday, Johnson, who was highly recommended by DaQuan Jones, liked what he saw with One Bills Drive.
Austin Johnson, a free agent defensive lineman, agreed to a one-year contract to play in the 2024 NFL season for the Buffalo Bills. Three days after his visit to One Bills Drive, Johnson signs.
Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones broke with tradition by being the first to announce Johnson’s signing with the Bills. Since the rumors about his arrival to Orchard Park, New York began to circulate, the giant man with an even greater personality has been a huge asset to Austin Johnson’s marketing campaign.
!!!BREAKING NEWS!!! @BuffaloBills are Signing former Chargers DE @AJohn15 later on today “close sources say”
— DaQuan Jones (@RiDQulous_98) March 23, 2024
Ian Rapoport later added that Johnson’s one-year deal is worth up to $4 million.
Sources confirm: Austin Johnson is signing a 1-year deal with Buffalo to play alongside former teammate DaQuan Jones. The deal is worth up to $4M. https://t.co/dBrFvNdfKO
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2024
Jones and Johnson
The connection between Jones and Johnson dates back to their days as teammates on the Tennessee Titans. Austin Johnson gives the Bills another adaptable defensive lineman. He has experience playing inside as a specialized nose tackle, on the outside in 3-4 schemes, and as an interior defensive tackle who lines up next to players similar to DaQuan Jones.
With eight years of NFL experience under his belt, Johnson—who will turn thirty in May, saw his most meaningful work come during his second season with the Los Angeles Chargers last season.
The Titans originally selected Johnson in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Johnson was able to return to his native New Jersey when he signed as a free agent with the New York Giants following the expiration of his four-year rookie deal. Following two seasons with the Giants, Johnson once more became a free agent and decided to sign with the Chargers in the west.
Johnson has started 55 of 116 games in his eight seasons in the NFL, totaling 241 tackles (125 solo), 17 tackles for loss, and 17 quarterback hits. In addition, Johnson has eight sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and ten pass defenses.
When Johnson was a right defensive end with the G-men in 2021, that was his most productive season. During that season, he started all 17 games and achieved career-highs in tackles for loss (6), quarterback hits (7), sacks (3.5), solo tackles (71) and tackles for loss (31).
With Austin Johnson, the Bills have added another interior defender with excellent scheme versatility and starting caliber. Johnson should therefore find himself to be a wonderful fit with the team as a rotational player.