Coming out of high school, Weber State was the only college that offered Johnson a football position, so he accepted it.[2]
Johnson started five games as a freshman at Weber State, and was a full-time starter thereafter. As a sophomore, he set a school record with 12 pass break-ups, and then tied the record the following season as a junior. As a senior in 2017, he totaled three interceptions, nine pass break-ups, and 49 tackles, earning the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year award[3] and consensus First Time All-American honors.[4]
Johnson was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft with the 121st overall pick.[7] On May 11, 2018, he signed his rookie contract.[8] Since being drafted, Johnson has become the Bills' starting nickel cornerback, as head coach Sean McDermott has utilized a base nickel defense.[9] His success as a run defender and in coverage has allowed the Bills to become one of the first teams to fully commit to the philosophy.[10]
As a rookie, Johnson recorded his first career sack and forced fumble against the Green Bay Packers in week 4, taking down quarterback Aaron Rodgers with a strip-sack.[11] Johnson recorded his first career interception the following week against the Tennessee Titans, picking off Marcus Mariota in the 13–12 victory.[12] He was placed on injured reserve on December 11, 2018, after undergoing shoulder surgery.[13]
In Week 14 of the 2020 season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football, Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by Ben Roethlisberger and returned it for a 51-yard touchdown during the 26–15 win.[14]
In the Divisional Round of the 2020 playoffs against the Baltimore Ravens, Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by Lamar Jackson in the Bills' endzone and returned it for a 101-yard pick six during the 17–3 win.[15] This return tied the longest in NFL playoff history with George Teague, and was later described as "franchise altering" by the press.[16]
On October 9, 2021, Johnson signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the Bills.[17]
After a second-team All-Pro season in 2023 as a slot cornerback, Johnson signed a three-year, $31 million contract extension with the Bills through the 2027 season.[18]
Johnson suffered a forearm injury just a few plays into the 2024 season opener after colliding with teammate Taylor Rapp on a tackle attempt. He missed four games due to the injury.[19] He returned in Week 6 against the New York Jets, where he sealed the Bills' 23-20 win with an interception of Aaron Rodgers late in the fourth quarter.[20] In Week 10, Johnson returned an interception of Joe Flacco for a 23-yard touchdown while also recording three tackles, two pass breakups, and a sack in a 30-20 win over the Indianapolis Colts, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[21]
^Mann, Britton (December 27, 2021). "Nickel Package Explained: Defensive Personnel Trends in the NFL". The 33rd Team. Retrieved October 26, 2024. The Buffalo Bills were one of the first teams to fully commit to playing a nickel base defense. This season they are playing 90.3% of their defensive snaps with five defensive backs on the field. Taron Johnson is their designated nickel corner and has been a large part of the reason for this transition.. Since being drafted the Bills have continued to play more snaps as a nickel defense and continued to be one of the best in the NFL.
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