One of the minor success stories for the Kansas City Chiefs in recent draft classes was the selection of defensive back Nazeeh Johnson back in 2022. As one of three final-round picks to not only make the team but play for the entirety of his rookie deal with the Chiefs, Johnson beat the odds and bad luck with injuries to remain relevant for a Super Bowl contender.
These days, Johnson is still trying to fight the long odds against him midway through the 2026 season. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has news that Johnson has received a clean bill of health after undergoing surgery for an ankle injury earlier this summer.
Recent hurdles for Johnson were plentiful
Johnson found meaningful work with the Tennessee Titans this offseason, but the ankle injury plus a six-game suspension levied on him for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs got him released in late August. Johnson maintained that he only failed the test due to confusion about taking an infertility drug.
“My wife and I were trying to conceive a child,” Johnson said in a statement. “We found out that I was infertile, and I took a fertility medication that was helping me try to conceive a baby. I was not aware that there was a substance in the medication that was on the banned list, and I tested positive for a PED."
The potential paths forward
With Johnson once again healthy and available, it stands to reason that those familiar with his talents might keep him in mind in case injuries arise. The Titans were already on the hook but his release makes a reconnection there feel like a long shot. The Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Chicago Bears have all also brought in Johnson for free-agent visits earlier in the spring.
As for the Chiefs, it's hard to say if Dave Toub would want to reunite with Johnson. The Chiefs completely remade the secondary but general manager Brett Veach restocked the defensive backfield quite well, giving them a solid young talent base even after losing Jaylen Watson and Trent McDuffie, among others. Johnson is versatile enough to help at multiple positions, but prospects like Jadon Canady already aren't getting enough playing time, so it's hard to see a meaningful path for Johnson in K.C.
That said, injuries can change the picture at any time. The Chiefs just watched Mansoor Delane sit out Week 8 and L'Jarius Sneed landed on injured reserve in the matter of a couple of days. Johnson might have to stay adaptable and ready if he wants to earn a roster spot, even on a practice squad, for the rest of the 2026 season.
Johnson made 6 starts and played in 29 total games for the Chiefs during his four-year stint with the team from 2022-25.
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