Brandon Edward Johnson Bio
Brandon Edward Johnson is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League. Born on July 26, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Johnson has built a reputation as a versatile and reliable pass-catcher throughout his professional career. After beginning his collegiate journey at the University of Tennessee, he transferred to the University of Central Florida for his final season, where he showcased his scoring ability with a team-leading 11 touchdown receptions. Johnson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has since appeared in games with the Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, continuing to make his mark at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Johnson grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he attended and played high school football at American Heritage School. His family has deep roots in professional athletics. His father, Charles Johnson, played in Major League Baseball, providing young Brandon with firsthand exposure to elite-level competition and the discipline required to succeed professionally. This family legacy of athletic excellence helped shape Johnson’s competitive mindset and work ethic from an early age.
Johnson’s extended family includes several notable athletes. He is cousins with Chad Johnson, the former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots wide receiver who enjoyed a distinguished NFL career. Additionally, Johnson is related to former professional baseball players Fred McGriff and Terry McGriff. This athletic lineage provided both inspiration and guidance as Johnson pursued his dreams of playing football at the highest level.
Path to Professional Football
Johnson began his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, where he played for the Volunteers from 2016 to 2020. During his time under head coaches Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt, Johnson developed as a reliable receiving option, totaling 79 receptions for 969 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. He also contributed as a punt returner, adding a touchdown on a special teams play. These experiences in the Southeastern Conference prepared him for the physical and mental demands of professional football.
Seeking a fresh start and expanded opportunities, Johnson transferred to the University of Central Florida for the 2021 season. The change proved beneficial, as he posted his most productive statistical season with 38 receptions for 565 receiving yards and a team-leading 11 receiving touchdowns. His impressive touchdown production demonstrated his ability to be a red-zone threat and convinced NFL scouts that he could contribute at the professional level despite going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Brandon Edward Johnson Career
Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2022–2023)
On April 30, 2022, the Denver Broncos signed Johnson as an undrafted free agent, giving him the opportunity to prove himself at the NFL level. He initially made the roster but was waived with an injury settlement on August 30, 2022, after suffering an ankle sprain during training camp. Johnson did not give up on his NFL dreams, re-signing with the Broncos practice squad on October 18 and earning a promotion to the active roster on November 19.
Johnson made his NFL debut on November 20, 2022, against the Las Vegas Raiders, recording one reception for two yards in the 22–16 loss. He continued to see playing time over the final weeks of his rookie season and scored his first NFL touchdown on a one-yard reception in Week 12 against the Carolina Panthers. Johnson finished his rookie campaign appearing in seven games with six receptions for 42 receiving yards and one touchdown, demonstrating enough promise to earn a spot on the roster for the following season.
The 2023 season brought Johnson’s most memorable professional moment to that point. In Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, with the Broncos trailing 35–27 and just three seconds remaining in regulation, Johnson hauled in a dramatic 50-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from Russell Wilson as time expired. The catch briefly gave Denver a chance to tie, though the team ultimately lost 35–33 after failing on the two-point conversion attempt. The play generated significant controversy due to an uncalled pass interference penalty. Johnson enjoyed his most productive statistical season, recording 19 receptions for 284 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in 13 games and two starts before being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury in late October and activated in December.
League Journey (2024–2025)
On August 27, 2024, the Broncos waived Johnson as part of their roster cuts. He quickly found a new home, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on August 28. Johnson appeared in three games during the 2024 season with the Steelers and signed a reserve/future contract on January 14, 2025, indicating the team’s interest in his continued development. However, he was waived by Pittsburgh on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts with an injury designation and later released from injured reserve.
Johnson continued his journeyman path when he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad on October 22, 2025. He contributed to the team during the latter portion of the season before being released on December 15. Seeking another opportunity as the regular season wound down, Johnson returned to a familiar franchise, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad on December 24, 2025, marking his second stint with the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Johnson has established himself as a reliable possession receiver with reliable hands and the ability to make contested catches. His collegiate production, particularly his 11 touchdowns at UCF, demonstrated his capability as a red-zone target. Johnson brings experience from playing in multiple offensive systems and has shown the versatility to contribute on special teams, having returned punts during his college career at Tennessee. His professional journey through multiple teams reflects his adaptability and persistence in a competitive league.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most celebrated moment of Johnson’s early career remains his dramatic Hail Mary touchdown reception against the Washington Commanders in 2023. The catch, which came on the final play of regulation with no time remaining, showcased his ability to make plays in high-pressure situations. Beyond that signature moment, Johnson has steadily accumulated production across his three professional seasons, appearing in 23 total games and recording 26 receptions for 335 receiving yards and five touchdowns. His journey from undrafted free agent to consistent NFL contributor exemplifies the perseverance required to maintain a professional career in the league.
Brandon Edward Johnson Career Statistics
Through the 2024 NFL season, Johnson has appeared in 23 career games across his time with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has established himself as a reliable receiving option capable of contributing in various offensive packages. His statistical profile shows consistent production with a 12.9 yards-per-reception average, indicating his ability to make plays down the field.
NFL Statistics Highlights
Johnson’s rookie season provided a foundation for his professional career, as he appeared in seven games and recorded his first NFL touchdown. His breakthrough came in 2023 with Denver, where he set career highs in receptions (19), receiving yards (284), and touchdowns (4) while playing in 13 games with two starts. The highlight of that season was his game-winning Hail Mary reception against Washington. Throughout his career, Johnson has shown the ability to contribute when called upon, averaging 12.9 yards per reception and finding the end zone five times through the 2024 season.
College Statistics
At Tennessee from 2016 to 2020, Johnson developed as a reliable receiving threat, totaling 79 receptions for 969 yards and one receiving touchdown to go along with a punt return touchdown. His most productive collegiate season came at UCF in 2021, where he posted 38 receptions for 565 yards and a team-leading 11 receiving touchdowns, demonstrating his big-play ability and red-zone scoring prowess.
| Competition Level | Games | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NFL (2022–2024) | 23 | 26 | 335 | 5 |
| College (Tennessee) | Multiple | 79 | 969 | 1 |
| College (UCF) | One season | 38 | 565 | 11 |
Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Johnson comes from an exceptionally athletic family with deep roots in professional sports. His father, Charles Johnson, played professionally in Major League Baseball, passing on his athletic genes and competitive spirit to his son. This baseball background contributed to Brandon’s hand-eye coordination and overall athleticism, attributes that translated effectively to his football career.
Beyond his father’s achievements, Johnson’s extended family includes several notable professional athletes. Most prominently, he is cousins with Chad Johnson, the accomplished NFL wide receiver who spent the majority of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals and also played for the New England Patriots. Chad Johnson’s successful NFL career, which included two Pro Bowl selections and over 750 career receptions, has served as inspiration and guidance for Brandon’s own professional football aspirations. The Johnson family’s football tradition continues through Brandon’s career while also extending to baseball through cousins Fred McGriff and Terry McGriff, both of whom played professionally in Major League Baseball.
Personal Life
Johnson continues to maintain a strong connection to his Florida roots while pursuing his professional football career across the country. His journey through multiple NFL organizations demonstrates his adaptability and determination to succeed at the highest level of the sport. Despite the inherent challenges of being an undrafted player navigating the roster fluctuations of professional football, Johnson has consistently earned opportunities with NFL teams, a testament to his work ethic and football skills.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition and persistence for Johnson in the National Football League. After beginning the year with the Pittsburgh Steelers following a mid-season signing in late 2024, Johnson was released during final roster cuts in August. He did not stay on the unemployment line for long, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad in October and contributing to their organization during the heart of the regular season. When his time with Tampa Bay ended in mid-December, Johnson quickly found another opportunity, returning to the Steelers practice squad just before Christmas.
This pattern of bouncing between organizations while maintaining a presence on practice squads reflects the reality facing many players without high-round draft pedigree in the NFL. Johnson’s ability to consistently attract interest from franchises demonstrates that scouts and coaches value his skill set and locker-room presence. Throughout his career, he has shown a knack for making the most of limited opportunities, including his memorable 2023 season with Denver when he posted career-high statistics. The 2025 campaign, while not producing gaudy individual numbers, allowed Johnson to continue developing his craft and maintaining his connection to the league.