The Oakland Raiders have taken in a player who was a familiar face for a rival. The Kansas City Chiefs announced that they did not intend to re-sign Derrick Johnson back in February, ending a 13-year run with the team. Today, he signs a one-year deal in Oakland.
Former Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson agrees to deal with @RAIDERS: https://t.co/CXO8su4fzS (via @MikeSilver) pic.twitter.com/93N0qHTbWI
— NFL (@NFL) May 4, 2018
Oakland Raiders Sign Linebacker Derrick Johnson
Johnson recorded a franchise record 1,262 career tackles (993 solo) with Kansas City, along with 27.5 sacks. He also made 14 interceptions, eight fumble recoveries, and scored four defensive touchdowns. In Week 17 of the 2009 season, Johnson tied an NFL record by returning two interceptions for touchdowns. Johnson has been selected to four Pro Bowls and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2011.
Johnson was drafted 15th overall by the Chiefs in the 2005 NFL draft. In college, Johnson was two-time First-Team All-American selection while playing for the University of Texas. In his senior season, Johnson was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and received the Dick Butkus Award along with the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Johnson started every game for the Chiefs in his rookie campaign. Following the 2005 season, he earned the Mack Lee Hill Award, which the Chiefs annually present to their most outstanding rookie. The 35-year old Johnson has been a reliable starter for Kansas City, appearing in at least 13 games every season except for 2014, when he tore his Achilles in the first game and missed the rest of the year.
Following a second Achilles tear near the end of 2016, Johnson’s production dropped in 2017. He failed to record a sack last season for the first time in his career, with the exception of his ill-fated 2014 season. Johnson also made just 48 tackles, his lowest total in a season where he’s started 12 or more games.
