The Green Bay Packers made a few surprise cuts on Tuesday while trimming their roster down to 53 players. Among the biggest surprises was the team’s decision to part ways with safety Anthony Johnson Jr. If the plan was to sign Johnson to the practice squad, that plan was thwarted by the New York Giants, who claimed Johnson off waivers on Wednesday.
Johnson, a 2023 seventh-round pick out of Iowa State, made the initial 53-man roster as a rookie. He appeared in 12 games, including four starts, logging 24 tackles, three pass defenses, and one interception.
Johnson was off to a strong start to begin this year’s training camp, earning praise from head coach Matt LaFleur.
“He’s had an outstanding camp up to this point,” said LaFleur. “I think it’s a very competitive situation. He’s really learned a ton. He’s made a huge jump I would say, in my eyes, to this point from last season. Now he’s got to go out and do it as we get to some live bullets in terms of those preseason games. So, it will be interesting to see how he does. But I’m excited for him.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson had just an average preseason, finishing with four tackles and a forced fumble for a defensive grade of 66.7.
While Johnson may have not done anything specifically to lose his spot, he was a part of one of the team’s most competitive position groups. Last year’s safety group was defined by inconsistency and a lack of play-making, pushing the Packers to go out and sign Xavier McKinney and add three safeties during the draft.
McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, and Zayne Anderson comprise the current safety room. Anderson’s status as a stalwart special teamer may have been the deciding factor between him and Johnson.
However, the Giants see potential in Johnson and will give him an opportunity to contribute in 2024.
