Since being drafted 114 picks after Josh Allen in 2018, Taron Johnson has made 113 appearances, including 87 starts. He averages 71.5 tackles per season and has totaled 48 passes defensed and eight forced fumbles. Now ready to be released by the Buffalo Bills, there’s no reason to doubt the recent superlative praises from Aaron Rodgers for Johnson.
No one knows Johnson’s future in the NFL over the next couple of seasons. But everyone could look back to Rodger’s assessment as a close-up testament of his on-field heroics.
Aaron Rodgers Heaps Praises on Taron Johnson Before His Release by the Buffalo Bills
NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) audibles during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
After acquiring wide receiver DJ Moore in a trade with the Chicago Bears, the Buffalo Bills entered Friday approximately $34 million over the NFL’s $301.2 million salary cap limit for the 2026 NFL season. The Bills had until the new league year begins on Monday to become cap compliant, and on Friday, the president of football operations/general manager Brandon Beane kept shedding salary by releasing four veteran players, including former All-Pro nickel cornerback Taron Johnson.
Johnson, a 2023 All-Pro member, carried a $9.5 million dead cap charge if the Bills cut him and was under contract through 2027. After weighing various options against their plan for the 2026 season, the Bills decided to move on from the versatile defender.
While reacting to the release, the 42-year-old veteran quarterback was full of praise for Johnson. Using superlative terms, Rodgers called him one of the league’s most underrated and effective players. Considering Aaron Rodgers’ legacy and experience, Taron Johnson would be proud of himself after hearing the veteran’s assessment.
Wow: The Bills just released one of the best players in the NFL, according to Aaron Rodgers.
“Taron Johnson is one of the best players in the league, one of the most underrated players. He can play a box LB, stop the run, and he can cover guys.”
Johnson will be in high demand… pic.twitter.com/RSSeM2RnwX
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 6, 2026
A social media account relayed Rodgers’ thought’s with thecaption:
“Wow: The Bills just released one of the best players in the NFL, according to Aaron Rodgers.
“Taron Johnson is one of the best players in the league, one of the most underrated players. He can play a box LB, stop the run, and he can cover guys.”
Johnson will be in high demand in free agency.”
By releasing slot cornerback Taron Johnson, wide receiver Curtis Samuel, safety Taylor Rapp, and cornerback Dane Jackson, Brandon Beane was able to create $12.1 million in salary cap space. However, he still has work to do as reports claim the Bills are still roughly $22 million over the salary cap limit.