Josh Johnson’s Remarkable NFL Journey: The League’s Ultimate Journeyman QB
When it comes to NFL longevity, few stories are as unique - or as quietly impressive - as Josh Johnson’s. He’s not a household name, and he’s never been a franchise quarterback.
But if you’ve followed the league over the past two decades, odds are you’ve seen his name pop up on a transaction wire or depth chart. That’s because Johnson has suited up for an unprecedented 15 different NFL teams - nearly half the league - over a career that’s spanned 16 seasons and counting.
His latest stop? The Washington Commanders, where he’s back for a second stint after originally joining the team in 2018.
Signed to a one-year deal ahead of the 2025 season, Johnson spent most of the year as the Commanders’ third-string quarterback. But when injuries sidelined both Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, the 39-year-old veteran was called upon to start his first NFL game since 2021 - a remarkable twist in a career already defined by unexpected turns.
The Draft That Started It All
Johnson’s NFL journey began back in 2008, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the fifth round of the draft, 160th overall. Coming out of the University of San Diego - a small-school program not exactly known for churning out NFL talent - Johnson had already turned heads with his college production. Over four seasons, he completed 68% of his passes for 9,699 yards and an eye-popping 113 touchdowns to just 15 interceptions.
He followed that up with a standout performance at the NFL Combine, posting the fastest 40-yard dash (4.53 seconds) and highest vertical jump (33.5 inches) among quarterbacks. Those numbers helped make him a draft-day target, and the Bucs made their move, trading down with New England to grab Johnson and an additional pick.
Tampa Bay may not have envisioned Johnson becoming a long-term starter, but they laid the foundation for what would become one of the most winding - and resilient - careers in league history.
15 Teams, 32 Games, and a Whole Lot of Resilience
Since debuting in 2008, Johnson has suited up for 15 NFL teams. That’s not a typo.
Fifteen. And while many of those stints were short-lived - often as a practice squad addition or offseason arm - they speak to a level of adaptability and professionalism that’s rare, especially at the quarterback position.
His longest continuous run with any team came with the Buccaneers, where he spent his first four seasons. Interestingly, the team that’s brought him back the most is San Francisco. The 49ers have signed Johnson four separate times (2012, 2014, 2020-21, and 2022), making them the unofficial home base of his NFL odyssey.
In total, Johnson has appeared in 32 NFL games, starting nine. His record as a starter stands at 1-8, with 2,270 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.
Not eye-popping numbers, but again, Johnson’s value has never been about gaudy stats. It’s about being ready.
It’s about knowing the playbook, helping younger quarterbacks, and stepping in when the moment calls - even if that moment comes years after your last start.
Beyond the NFL: A Football Life That Doesn’t Quit
Johnson’s football journey hasn’t been limited to the NFL. He’s suited up in the United Football League (Sacramento Mountain Lions, 2012), the Alliance of American Football (San Diego Fleet, 2019), and the XFL (Los Angeles Wildcats, 2020).
When other quarterbacks might’ve hung it up, Johnson kept playing. Kept learning.
Kept chasing the next opportunity.
That persistence is what’s made him such a respected figure in locker rooms across the league. Coaches know what they’re getting with Johnson - a consummate pro who can absorb a playbook in a week, mentor a rookie, and step in under center if needed.
A Career Timeline Unlike Any Other
Here’s a look at the full list of Johnson’s NFL stops, including practice squad and offseason stints:
- Buccaneers (2008-2011)
- 49ers (2012) *
- Browns (2012)
- Bengals (2013)
- 49ers (2014) *
- Bengals (2015) *
- Jets (2015) *
- Colts (2015)
- Bills (2015)
- Ravens (2016) *
- Giants (2016)
- Texans (2017)
- Raiders (2018) *
- Redskins (2018)
- Lions (2019) *
- 49ers (2020-2021) *
- Jets (2021)
- Ravens (2021)
- Broncos (2022)
- 49ers (2022)
- Ravens (2023-2024)
- Commanders (2025)
(* indicates offseason or practice squad member)
That’s a list that spans nearly every corner of the league - from AFC to NFC, East to West, contenders to rebuilding squads. And through it all, Johnson has remained a steady, if understated, presence.
Career Earnings: A Quietly Lucrative Ride
For all the movement, Johnson’s career has also been financially fruitful. With his 2025 deal with the Commanders - a one-year, $1.422 million contract - his total NFL earnings now sit at just over $12 million. That averages out to roughly $276,427 per game played.
Not bad for a quarterback who’s made a career out of staying ready, staying sharp, and staying in the league long after most others would’ve been forgotten.
Final Word
Josh Johnson may never be enshrined in Canton. He may never lead a team to the Super Bowl or break passing records. But his career is a masterclass in perseverance, professionalism, and the value of being a dependable presence in a league that’s constantly changing.
In a sport that often chews players up and spits them out, Johnson has found a way to stick - not just for a season or two, but for nearly two decades. And that, in its own way, is as impressive as any stat line.