Josh Johnson, former Buffalo Bill

[dave mcbride]

Not sure all that many folks remember, but Josh Johnson -- a terrible QB who has somehow managed to last in the league for 15 years (albeit with stints in the United Football League, the Alliance of American Football League, and the XFL) despite a QB rating below the NFL equivalent of the Mendoza line -- did a stint with the Bills in 2015. He was signed mid-season when Tyrod Taylor got hurt and was the primary backup to EJ Manuel in the London game against Jax. We almost got a chance to see him perform given how awful Manuel was in the first half of that game. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Johnson_(quarterback)

 

The most amazing thing about him is that he has played for 15 NFL teams! I mean, I thought Fitzpatrick had played for a lot of teams, but wow. This unintentionally hilarious article from two and half years ago has him about to hang it up after his 13th NFL team: https://www.sportscasting.com/after-13-nfl-teams-josh-johnsons-exhausting-football-career-may-be-over/. He has had over 20 contracts including the non-NFL pro-league contracts!

 

(Jim Harbaugh was his coach at D3 University of San Diego too.) 

 

The non-NFL teams he played for:

Sacramento Mountain Lions - United Football League (he played two games and then the league folded)

 

San Diego Fleet - Alliance of American Football

 

Los Angeles Wildcats - XFL

 

It's both kinda sad and poetic that he now may well be done forever after embarrassing himself on the biggest of stages before getting concussed out of the game by legit bad man Ndamukong Suh. But he's the ultimate survivor, so I probably shouldn't write his obituary yet.

 

Finally, I like the title of this entertaining Vice piece: "Josh Johnson, Emergency Quarterback": https://www.vice.com/en/article/9a4e7y/josh-johnson-emergency-quarterback

 

And here is a picture of him as a Bill: 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by dave mcbride

[Matt_In_NH]

8.5 Million in 15 years...not too bad for someone who "sucks"

[Buffalo716]

It’s not sad or poetic

 

Do you know how many people would  kill to play for 15 NFL teams?

 

The dude understand what it takes to be a back up quarterback in the NFL… Most backups don’t

[dave mcbride]

2 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

It’s not sad or poetic

 

Do you know how many people would  kill to play for 15 NFL teams?

 

The dude understand what it takes to be a back up quarterback in the NFL… Most backups don’t

I dunno, it's more about sports karma than the dollars and cents of it all. I'm not talking about his material well being. Anyway, he has been terrible wherever he's played.  

3 minutes ago, Matt_In_NH said:

8.5 Million in 15 years...not too bad for someone who "sucks"

And yet he sucks. Don't get me wrong, though -- I'm genuinely impressed by how he's managed to keep hanging around. 

Edited January 30, 2023 by dave mcbride

[Buffalo716]

Just now, dave mcbride said:

I dunno, it's more about sports karma than the dollars and cents of it all. I'm not talking about his material well being. Anyway, he has been terrible wherever he's played.  

And yet he sucks.

He’s a 3rd 4th string quality QB… OFC he doesn’t light it up

 

He’s there for the locker room… If you get down to that quarterback you’re screwed

[Maine-iac]

I can't argue with it but I want to anyways.  I never thought he sucked.  Nathan Peterman sucked.  Johnson was definitely a back up but I'd he used to really have some wheels and could make a play here or there.  I mean if you just look at the numbers I don't know what to say because they do suck but I'm telling you, you could do a lot worse at back up.

[dave mcbride]

Just now, Buffalo716 said:

He’s a 3rd 4th string quality QB… OFC he doesn’t light it up

 

He’s there for the locker room… If you get down to that quarterback you’re screwed

There are literally hundreds of guys like him over the last decade and a half -- the Levi Browns and Jeff Tuels of the world. They last for a year or two and that's it. 15 teams in 15 years!  

Just now, Maine-iac said:

I can't argue with it but I want to anyways.  I never thought he sucked.  Nathan Peterman sucked.  Johnson was definitely a back up but I'd he used to really have some wheels and could make a play here or there.  I mean if you just look at the numbers I don't know what to say because they do suck but I'm telling you, you could do a lot worse at back up.

And that's why he hung around, I guess. The numbers are terrible but I guess teams find a reason to believe.

[Maine-iac]

2 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

There are literally hundreds of guys like him over the last decade and a half -- the Levi Browns and Jeff Tuels of the world. They last for a year or two and that's it. 15 teams in 15 years!  

I liked me some Jeff Tuel as well .............. guess I'm just a sucker for an underdog.  He was the one that got picked and run back by JJ Watt right?  Poor bastard ........ he had that game.

Edited January 30, 2023 by Maine-iac

[Maine-iac]

6 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

There are literally hundreds of guys like him over the last decade and a half -- the Levi Browns and Jeff Tuels of the world. They last for a year or two and that's it. 15 teams in 15 years!  

And that's why he hung around, I guess. The numbers are terrible but I guess teams find a reason to believe.

Chase Daniel

[dave mcbride]

3 minutes ago, Maine-iac said:

I liked me some Jeff Tuel as well .............. guess I'm just a sucker for an underdog.  He was the one that got picked and run back by JJ Watt right?  Poor bastard ........ he had that game.

He had a deceptively good game for the Jets last season - https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202111040clt.htm. However, his three TD passes came after the Jets were losing 42-10 to the Colts. He also had decent numbers in a game for the Ravens too last season (same season!), but they lost 41-21 to the Bengals. Those two garbage-time productivity games got his lifetime rating up from the low-mid 60s to 70.6, which is still terrible. 

[billieve420]

Bills curse spreading to the other teams. I think I saw former Bills TE Kroft miss a block which ended up getting Purdy hurt and effectively ending whatever chance the 49ers had.

[dave mcbride]

1 minute ago, Maine-iac said:

Chase Daniel

Yes - 7 teams in 13 seasons and only 5 starts. Still has a long way to go to get to 15, though!

Just now, billieve420 said:

Bills curse spreading to the other teams. I think I saw former Bills TE Kroft miss a block which ended up getting Purdy hurt and effectively ending whatever chance the 49ers had.

Yes, that was Kroft.

[CNYfan]

I think he played and won a blizzard game during the drought years.  Most famous moment with BB

[Buffalo716]

5 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

There are literally hundreds of guys like him over the last decade and a half -- the Levi Browns and Jeff Tuels of the world. They last for a year or two and that's it. 15 teams in 15 years!  

And that's why he hung around, I guess. The numbers are terrible but I guess teams find a reason to believe.

Again you have no idea how he is in the locker room and that’s the difference 

Chase Daniel played for almost 15 years and has less starts then Josh Johnson!

 

There are always a few long-term back ups who stick around and don’t play… Especially if you have athletic gifts

 

HIs athleticism make him a better option than most 3rd string QBs

 

[dave mcbride]

Just now, CNYfan said:

I think he played and won a blizzard game during the drought years.  Most famous moment with BB

No, that was Joe Webb in 2017. 

[thenorthremembers]

Also the cousin of Marshawn Lynch.

[CNYfan]

Joe Webb.  Don't remember that guy.  He was Josh Johnson like, I think.

[dave mcbride]

Just now, Buffalo716 said:

Again you have no idea how he is in the locker room and that’s the difference 

Chase Daniel played for almost 15 years and has less starts then Josh Johnson!

 

There are always a few long-term back ups who stick around and don’t play… Especially if you have athletic gifts

 

HIs athleticism make him a better option than most 3rd string QBs

 

He is legit bad! He always has been. I don't doubt that he may have locker room qualities, and the Niners were of course desperate. But guys like that don't last as long as him and -- more to the point -- they don't play for 15 teams! That has to be some sort of record. 

[Maine-iac]

Just now, dave mcbride said:

He had a deceptively good game for the Jets last season - https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202111040clt.htm. However, his three TD passes came after the Jets were losing 42-10 to the Colts. He also had decent numbers in a game for the Ravens too last season (same season!), but they lost 41-21 to the Bengals. Those two garbage-time productivity games got his lifetime rating up from the low-mid 60s to 70.6, which is still terrible. 

It's not rational.   I think I used him in Madden franchise mode 15 years ago or something nonsensical like that.

[colin]

so, this guy could be a coach or run camps.  he knows more different nfl approaches and playbooks than anyone else.

 

he could also bring in, no joke, like 300 different nfl pros and coaches at any time.

 

imagine if he were your uncle and you had a d1 scholly?  he could tell you EVERYTHING.

 

i personally want him to be an analyst or something like that, want to know what he's learned, and funny stories.

[Boatdrinks]

4 minutes ago, billieve420 said:

Bills curse spreading to the other teams. I think I saw former Bills TE Kroft miss a block which ended up getting Purdy hurt and effectively ending whatever chance the 49ers had.

Not sure but I think Kroft had a different guy and held his block for awhile . Only saw the replay once or twice tho 

[US Egg]

That the OP can’t grasp Josh Johnson success is ignorance or intentional.

 

Ignorance is bliss, but doubt bliss was the desired reason for posting this.

[Maine-iac]

I'd like to get 15 Jerseys for free.  Or watch a game in 15 different cities.  Say nothing about watching from the field.

[Albany,n.y.]

15 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

There are literally hundreds of guys like him over the last decade and a half -- the Levi Browns and Jeff Tuels of the world. They last for a year or two and that's it. 15 teams in 15 years!  

And that's why he hung around, I guess. The numbers are terrible but I guess teams find a reason to believe.

He knows every team's playbook, so in an emergency he can get up to speed faster than someone who has never worked in that team's offense before. 😄

[GunnerBill]

He served as backup in two games for the Bills. He backed up Tyrod vs the Jets on TNF as well Rex decided that on a short week to split backup duties between the Sunday and the Thursday.

[Buffalo716]

19 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

He is legit bad! He always has been. I don't doubt that he may have locker room qualities, and the Niners were of course desperate. But guys like that don't last as long as him and -- more to the point -- they don't play for 15 teams! That has to be some sort of record. 

Chase Daniel was actually on more active rosters than Josh and played less

 

It’s definitely not common… but it happens 

 

I think Josh was actually only on 10 Gameday rosters… Spread out over 15 years

 

I don’t even think he was in the league for all 15 years… Off-season member… Future contracts… While making like 10 actual rosters

 

 

 

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by Buffalo716

[C.Biscuit97]

24 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

He is legit bad! He always has been. I don't doubt that he may have locker room qualities, and the Niners were of course desperate. But guys like that don't last as long as him and -- more to the point -- they don't play for 15 teams! That has to be some sort of record. 

He had a 300 yard game last year on a garbage jets team. There are so many words qbs than him. Blaine Gabbert sucks and for some reason gets to hang around. Matt Barkley has like a 62 qb rating. Chase Daniel has done nothing in the nfl (much less a 300 yard game). Right now, Zach Wilson is worse than Johnson 
 

normally on board with Dave but I don’t why you singled out Johnson when there are so many worse ones you could have picked. 

[JerseyBills]

What luck SF has huh. 4 QBs hurt in a season.  2 in a Championship game.  Minus QB I thought they had the best roster in the game 

[BADOLBILZ]

19 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

Chase Daniel was actually on more active rosters than Josh and played less

 

It’s definitely not common… but it happens 

 

I think Josh was actually only on 10 Gameday rosters… Spread out over 15 years

 

I don’t even think he was in the league for all 15 years… Off-season member… Future contracts… While making like 10 actual rosters

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree with @dave mcbride here.

 

Chase Daniel was actually a legit #2 QB at times during his career........he just didn't play because he wasn't needed.

 

Josh Johnson was given a chance very early in his career to be a backup(as the Jeff Tuel types do until people realize they got nothing and never will).

 

But otherwise Josh Johnson is and has always been a #4 quality QB........meaning the "off roster" option. 

 

His career is remarkable for this.........there isn't a comp, IMO.

 

 

[Buffalo716]

Just now, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I agree with @dave mcbride here.

 

Chase Daniel was actually a legit #2 QB at times during his career........he just didn't play because he wasn't needed.

 

Josh Johnson was given a chance very early in his career to be a backup(as the Jeff Tuel types do until people realize they got nothing and never will).

 

But otherwise Josh Johnson is and has always been a #4 quality QB........meaning the "off roster" option. 

 

His career is remarkable for this.........there isn't a comp, IMO.

 

 

I don’t think I ever said Johnson was better than Daniel … not once 

 

what I did was show that he isn’t the only QB to bounce around for a decade plus without ever having a serious chance to play a lot 

 

in fact he did get more chances than chase and he’s worse

[dave mcbride]

37 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

He had a 300 yard game last year on a garbage jets team. There are so many words qbs than him. Blaine Gabbert sucks and for some reason gets to hang around. Matt Barkley has like a 62 qb rating. Chase Daniel has done nothing in the nfl (much less a 300 yard game). Right now, Zach Wilson is worse than Johnson 
 

normally on board with Dave but I don’t why you singled out Johnson when there are so many worse ones you could have picked. 

See above -- most of those yards came when the Jets fell behind 42-10. And I singled him out because -- to repeat -- he not only played for the Bills, he has played for FIFTEEN EFFING TEAMS! He's way worse than you seem to think, btw. A couple of garbage-time yardage accumulation situations in 2021 do not a good QB make.

Edited January 30, 2023 by dave mcbride

[HamSandwhich]

Only question I have is what does he have on the commish? 

[BADOLBILZ]

1 minute ago, Buffalo716 said:

I don’t think I ever said Johnson was better than Daniel … not once 

 

what I did was show that he isn’t the only QB to bounce around for a decade plus without ever having a serious chance to play a lot 

 

in fact he did get more chances than chase and he’s worse

 

 

Yeah I think the disagreement is that there are a lot of Josh Johnsons.

 

I don't think there is a comparable example.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, billieve420 said:

Bills curse spreading to the other teams. I think I saw former Bills TE Kroft miss a block which ended up getting Purdy hurt and effectively ending whatever chance the 49ers had.

Pufnstuf missed a block?!  That's unpossible!

*
'Couldn't do a little 'cause he couldn't do enough'. 🙁

[Rico]

1 hour ago, dave mcbride said:

He is legit bad! He always has been. I don't doubt that he may have locker room qualities, and the Niners were of course desperate. But guys like that don't last as long as him and -- more to the point -- they don't play for 15 teams! That has to be some sort of record. 

Yet he was and is still better than EJ, that’s why he is still in the league.

[dave mcbride]

2 hours ago, Rico said:

Yet he was and is still better than EJ, that’s why he is still in the league.

I don't think better at quarterbacking (he's bad!), but certainly better at surviving (think cockroach and nuclear attack) and better at answering the emergency call when QB 2 goes down for whatever team.

[HardyBoy]

Didn't he have a season with Tampa Bay where he flashed for a bit? Am I crazy for remembering that?

 

Maybe it was a game or a few, but I thought he did well at one point for a hot minute? 

[John from Riverside]

Has made millions of dollars doing what he loves that makes him a winner

[dave mcbride]

12 minutes ago, HardyBoy said:

Didn't he have a season with Tampa Bay where he flashed for a bit? Am I crazy for remembering that?

 

Maybe it was a game or a few, but I thought he did well at one point for a hot minute? 

He was 0-5 with Tampa and had a collective passer rating of 60 (5 tds, 10 ints).

10 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

Has made millions of dollars doing what he loves that makes him a winner

No doubt, but he is the opposite of good. He’s a true unicorn and I feel deserving of a documentary. Again, 15 NFL teams. That is insane.

[Buffalo716]

17 minutes ago, dave mcbride said:

He was 0-5 with Tampa and had a collective passer rating of 60 (5 tds, 10 ints).

No doubt, but he is the opposite of good. He’s a true unicorn and I feel deserving of a documentary. Again, 15 NFL teams. That is insane.

What you don’t realize is a lot of QBs DO NOT want to be QB #3 or 4 especially for years 

 

especially guys with top 3-4 round pedigree… they grind is too much and they already made some money 

 

EJ Manuel could hack it as a QB 3-4 for a decade but it’s not even worth it to a guy who made 1st round money and doesn’t cut it 

 

but a guy like Johnson who only wants to play Football can find a camp because teams always need camp arms and he hasn’t made a ton 

 
The pool of 3rd 4th string QBs is slim … you are going young or bad with experience 

 

 

Edited January 31, 2023 by Buffalo716