Career Timeline of Taron Johnson: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Taron Johnson built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Taron Johnson is a professional American football cornerback in the NFL. He played college football at Weber State before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Johnson continues to play in the NFL.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2017: Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year

In 2017, as a senior at Weber State, Taron Johnson earned the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year award and consensus First Time All-American honors, totaling three interceptions, nine pass break-ups, and 49 tackles.

May 11, 2018: Signed Rookie Contract

On May 11, 2018, Taron Johnson signed a four-year, $3.10 million rookie contract with the Buffalo Bills, including a signing bonus of $646,068.

September 9, 2018: NFL Regular Season Debut

On September 9, 2018, Taron Johnson made his professional regular season debut for the Buffalo Bills against the Baltimore Ravens, recording two solo tackles but injured his shoulder during the game.

October 7, 2018: First Career Interception

On October 7, 2018, Taron Johnson recorded his first career interception, picking off a pass by Marcus Mariota intended for Nick Williams, during the Bills' victory against the Tennessee Titans.

2018: Participated in Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine

In 2018, Taron Johnson participated in the Senior Bowl, impressing scouts, and performed in all combined and positional drills at the NFL Scouting Combine.

2018: Drafted by the Bills

In 2018, Taron Johnson was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the 4th round of the NFL draft after playing college football for the Weber State Wildcats.

November 28, 2019: Season-High Tackles

On November 28, 2019, Taron Johnson recorded a season-high nine combined tackles and one pass deflection during a victory against the Dallas Cowboys.

2019: Bills Clinch Wildcard Position

During the 2019 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills finished second in the AFC East with a 10-6 record, clinching a Wildcard position.

2019: Comparison to Lowest Tackles Since 2019

In the offseason prior to the 2025 season, Taron Johnson underwent shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered in the playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens in January. He played in 13 games recording 57 tackles, his lowest since 2019, four passes defended, and no interceptions.

January 4, 2020: First Career Playoff Game

On January 4, 2020, Taron Johnson started in his first career playoff game, where he had one pass deflection in the Bills' overtime loss to the Houston Texans.

December 13, 2020: First Career Pick Six

On December 13, 2020, Taron Johnson had his first career pick six, intercepting a pass from Ben Roethlisberger intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster and returning it for a 51-yard touchdown in the Bills' victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football.

2020: Bills Finish Atop AFC East

In the 2020 NFL season, the Buffalo Bills finished atop the AFC East with a 13-3 record.

January 16, 2021: Playoff Interception for Touchdown

On January 16, 2021, during the Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens, Taron Johnson intercepted a pass by Lamar Jackson and returned it 101 yards for a touchdown, tying the longest interception return in NFL playoff history.

January 24, 2021: AFC Championship Game Appearance

On January 24, 2021, Taron Johnson made five combined tackles and two pass deflections during the Buffalo Bills' loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

September 12, 2021: Season High in Pass Deflections

On September 12, 2021, Taron Johnson started in the Buffalo Bills' home-opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers and set a season-high with two pass deflections and seven solo tackles.

October 9, 2021: Contract Extension

On October 9, 2021, Taron Johnson signed a three-year, $24.00 million contract extension with the Buffalo Bills, including $13.75 million guaranteed.

November 14, 2021: Interception against the Jets

On November 14, 2021, Taron Johnson had four solo tackles, one pass deflection, and had his only interception of the season on a pass by Mike White to Keelan Cole during a victory at the New York Jets.

September 8, 2022: Season Opener

On September 8, 2022, Taron Johnson started in the Buffalo Bills' season-opener at the Los Angeles Rams and set a season-high with nine combined tackles and one pass deflection in their victory.

2022: Starting Nickelback

In 2022, Taron Johnson returned as the starting nickelback under defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and was named the first-team nickelback by head coach Sean McDermott.

October 15, 2023: Career-High Tackles

On October 15, 2023, Taron Johnson collected a career-high 15 combined tackles and made one pass deflection during a win against the New York Giants.

2023: Starting Nickelback

Following the 2023 NFL season, Taron Johnson remained the Buffalo Bills' starting nickelback under new defensive coordinator Bobby Babich, beginning the season alongside Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford.

2023: Named All-Pro

In 2023, Taron Johnson was named a second team All-Pro for his performance as a slot cornerback, instrumental in the Bills' strong pass defense.

March 18, 2024: Contract Extension

On March 18, 2024, Taron Johnson signed a three-year, $30.75 million contract extension with the Buffalo Bills, including $17.82 million guaranteed.

November 10, 2024: AFC Defensive Player of the Week

On November 10, 2024, Taron Johnson earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording three solo tackles, two pass deflections, one sack, and a pick six against the Colts.