The odyssey that has been Josh Johnson’s NFL career will continue into his age-40 season.
The Bengals are signing Johnson to a one-year contract to play behind Joe Burrow, the team announced.
Johnson’s term with the Bengals will be his third overall, as he previously spent time with the team in 2013 and 2025. The soon-to-be 40-year-old veteran has played for 14 different NFL clubs across 22 separate stints since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
Johnson spent the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders. He started two games for the squad, going 1-1 while completing 63% of his passes for 372 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
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Johnson hasn’t just played in the NFL during his professional career. He has also played for the UFL’s Sacramento Mountain Lions, the AAF’s San Diego Fleet and the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats.
Here’s what to know about Johnson’s career odyssey and how he will fit with the Bengals in 2026.
How many teams has Josh Johnson played for?
Johnson has played for a whopping 17 different professional teams across four leagues during his career. Below is a look at his full career timeline since he was selected in the 2008 NFL Draft.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2008-11)
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San Francisco 49ers (2012)
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Sacramento Mountain Lions (2012)
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San Francisco 49ers (2014)
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Cincinnati Bengals (2015)
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Indianapolis Colts (2015)
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Washington Redskins (2018)
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Los Angeles Wildcats (2020)
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San Francisco 49ers (2020)
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San Francisco 49ers (2022)
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Baltimore Ravens (2023-24)
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Washington Commanders (2025)
Johnson has only twice spent back-to-back, uninterrupted seasons with the same team. Those came during his rookie contract with the Buccaneers and during his two-year stint with the Ravens in 2023 and 2024.
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Josh Johnson stats
Johnson has only made 11 NFL starts during his career, posting a 2-9 record across those while throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Below is a full breakdown of Johnson’s stats:
Johnson’s two career wins came during his two separate stints in Washington. He earned his first win in 2018 and didn’t earn his second until 2025.
How does Josh Johnson fit with the Bengals?
Johnson gives the Bengals needed veteran insurance at the quarterback position behind Burrow.
Cincinnati employed Joe Flacco and Jake Browning as its top backups to Burrow in 2025. Both became free agents during the offseason, with Browning inking a deal with the Buccaneers and Flacco, now 41, remaining available.
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Johnson represents a low-cost veteran with far more experience than Sean Clifford, who has never taken an NFL snap but was penciled in as Cincinnati’s backup before the journeyman signed.
Of course, Johnson’s presence also won’t preclude the Bengals from adding a higher-end backup to the fold if they so desire. The 19-year NFL veteran is probably best suited as a third-string option anyway, so the door remains open for a player like Flacco to join the team.
Bengals QB depth chart
Below is a look at the projected Bengals quarterback depth chart as it currently stands:
Josh Johnson career earnings
Johnson made just over $25.9 million over his previous NFL stints, per Spotrac.com. It isn’t yet clear what he will make with the Bengals, but if he earns the veteran minimum of $1.3 million, his earnings would rise to $27.2 million.
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Cincinnati has not yet revealed the terms of Johnson’s contract.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Josh Johnson career timeline, stats, earnings as QB signs with Bengals
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