Trumaine Johnson went from the highest-paid CB to getting released from a team’s practice squad

Trumaine Johnson has always been a special player. The former University of Montana corner is a big boy. He stood at 6020 (which is 6’2) and weighed 215 pounds. He was an FCS All-American in college and would end up hearing his name called in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Today, Johnson is 30 years old. He was actually released from the Carolina Panthers practice squad today so they could sign a kicker. Yes, his world has changed a little bit. Trumaine Johnson at one point was the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.

After getting drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2012, Johnson would turn into a shutdown cornerback. The Rams loved him so much that he was slapped with the franchise tag, not once but twice. Two years in a row the Rams placed the Franchise Tag on the former FCS standout.

Johnson would end up landing on the New York Jets and receiving a monster payday. He signed a 5 year 72.5 million dollar contract with 34 million guaranteed. The crazy thing is, Johnson would end up getting hurt in 2019 injuring his ankle. He would miss several games and end up getting released in March of 2020.

Last Sunday, Johnson showed his humbleness. The former highest-paid cornerback in the entire NFL signed a deal to play with the Panthers practice squad. The Carolina Panthers signed the 30-year-old Stockton, California native who has 393 career tackles, 74 PBU’s, and 23 career interceptions to their practice squad. He was making 11k dollars a week. Compared to the mega millions he has made in the past.

I am not sure why he is not on a team, but you have to appreciate his humbleness. Many football players will not play unless they are on the 53 man roster. I hope the Bills take a look at him and sign him to their practice squad. With Josh Norman still out, Johnson is a player with tons of potential. Yes, he is older, but if he is healthy there is no doubt in my mind I would add him to my cornerbacks room.