Lonnie Johnson will leave the Saints in free agency. Here’s where the safety is headed.
Lonnie Johnson is on the move.
And he’s back to where he began his career.
The New Orleans Saints safety signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Houston Texans, he announced on social media Monday. The agreement was reached within the first hours of the NFL’s legal tampering window, which allows teams to communicate with free players from rival teams.
Johnson played his first three seasons for the Texans, who picked him with the 54th overall pick in 2019. He joined the Saints in 2023 and mostly played on special teams. He played 12 games last season, missing the final three due to a knee injury.
“Nola gonna have love for yall 4 Eva,” Johnson wrote on X. “I tried I promise I tried we just couldn’t get it done”
Johnson announced his leaving and responded to safety Tyrann Mathieu, who appeared to address Johnson’s departure by saying “Every year you lose dawgs.” “Raise new dogs!” Johnson went on to say “My brudda we locked in (for life) appreciate you dawg.”
Johnson, who has also played for the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs, played 122 defensive snaps for the Saints in 2023. He had nine tackles and one interception.
Johnson’s potential agreement with the Texans, which may become official on Wednesday, makes him the first player to depart the Saints in free agency cycle. New Orleans is expected to have more than 20 free agents, including wide receiver Michael Thomas, quarterback Jameis Winston, and lineman Andrus Peat.
“I’ve seen what Akins did his second time around, and what Des king did his second time around,” Johnson tweeted on his return to Houston, referring to tight end Jordan Akins and cornerback Desmond King, both of whom have had second spells with the Texans. “God gave me a second chance imma take the humble route wit it this time around”
