Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson can be added to the growing list of players unlikely to strike a new deal before Friday’s deadline for franchise-tagged players.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Johnson and the Rams are “not expected” to agree to a new long-term deal before the deadline. Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported the same earlier this week, stating that there has been “very little action” in terms of negotiating a new deal between the two sides.
Johnson, 26, signed the franchise tag, worth $13.9 million for cornerbacks in 2016. If no deal is reached, Johnson would play out the 2016 season on the one-year tender, without the ability to negotiate a new deal until after the regular season ends.
He joins Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery, Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and New York Jets defensive lineman Muhammad Wilkerson as tagged players unlikely to reach new deals before Friday’s deadline.
A third-round pick of the Rams in 2012, Johnson led the NFC in interceptions last season with seven. He has 15 career interceptions over four NFL seasons.
Johnson’s former teammate, Janoris Jenkins, signed a five-year, $62.5 million deal with the New York Giants in March, after the Rams decided to tag Johnson over Jenkins. There’s no reason for Johnson to budge on anything lower than Jenkins’ numbers, especially with a big pay day possible after playing out the tag in 2016.
