Football

Former Cyclone Anthony Johnson is pushing for a starting spot with the Packers

GREEN BAY, Wis. — What a difference a year makes for Anthony Johnson Jr. 

Last season, the Green Bay Packers safety was fighting tooth and nail for a roster spot. 

This season, the Iowa State product is battling to be a starter.

Johnson was praised earlier in training camp by Packers coach Matt LaFleur for his consistent work in practice. 

“He’s had an outstanding camp up to this point,” LaFleur said. “I think it’ a very competition situation (at safety). He’s learned a ton. He’s made a huge jump in my eyes from last season. He’s got to go out and do it against some live bullets in terms of the preseason games. It’ll be interesting to see how he does, but I’m excited for him.”

While Johnson appreciated the feedback, he’s doing his best to stay humble.

“Positive feedback is always good,” Johnson said. “I’ll take it whenever it comes, however it comes. But I’m trying to keep the main thing the main thing. One of the hardest things about being in this profession is people patting you on the back because that can soften you up and sometimes you won’t notice it. 

“If someone says something negative about you, it’s easy to use that as fuel to motivate you. But sometimes with success, you soften up and you don’t realize it until you hit rock bottom. I’m trying to avoid that.”

Johnson was a seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft after a career at Iowa State that included a Cyclone and Big 12 record with 54 starts. After spending four years as a cornerback ISU, he switched to safety his senior year. 

After impressing in training camp, Johnson opened the season on the 53-man roster. After not seeing any time from scrimmage in the first six weeks of the season, Johnson’s time began ramping up. 

He ended up starting four games and played 335 snaps, including seeing action in both of the Packers postseason games. 

This year, he’s locked in a battle with a pair of Packers 2024 draft choices for the spot opposite free agent acquisition Xavier McKinney: Second-round pick Javon Bullard and fourth-round pick Evan Williams. 

Johnson said he’s not trying to focus on his competition as the battle wages on.  

“My goal is to come out here and achieve and become the best Anthony Johnson Jr. I can,” Johnson said. “I want to fix the things I didn’t do as well last year, and give myself the best chance to contribute.”

Johnson had his second Family Night experience, and after last season, he’s plenty used to playing in front of a packed house, be it a glorified practice or a playoff game with everything on the line.”

“I’m not going to say it’s just another day. It’s a cool expeirence, but it’s still calm, cool collected. It’s more normal part of business. There’s no more deer in the headlights.”

Like every defensive back, Johnson will also have to contribute on special teams to show his worth. A good opportunity will present itself in the team’s three preseason games, and Johnson knows what he puts on tape will go a long way in determining his future. 

“I’m looking to go out there and playing my best in front. Showcase my ability to not just this team, but every team in the NFL. I want to show everybody the work I’ve put in, and let the light that God put inside of me shine bright.”

When Iowa State gets mentioned, Johnson’s eyes light up. 

“We could talk all day about Iowa State,” Johnson said. “It was and is my foundation. I had some great coaches there, one of them obviously being Matt Campbell. The person I was able to become while I was there was the most important thing to me. The friendships that I was able to make that are going to last a lifetime. It meant a lot, and it molded me into the person that I am.”

January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Green Bay Packers safety Anthony Johnson Jr. (36) and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) shake hands after the 2024 NFC divisional round game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

While he’s been gone from the school for well over a year, Johnson still keeps up with his former teammates. 

“I text and Snapchat every day with some guys that are still on the team,” Johnson said. “They are in camp now, and I want to check in with that, and even on another note, just sending funny memes and jokes. I’m in constant contact with them.”

While Johnson has plenty to worry about on his own accord, he’s also using training camp to be a mentor to former Iowa State wide receiver Dimitri Stanley, an undrafted free agent who is trying to at least crack the practice squad. 

Stanley, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring strain, is facing big odds. 

“The biggest thing I tell Dimitri is that good, bad or indifferent, it’s all about the next rep and the next day,” Johnson said. “Block out the noise, both internally and externally. Just take it day by day, and you’ll be fine.” 

Johnson made a pair of tackles and got the attention of Packers Twitter by setting the edge in emphatic fashion against a Cleveland offensive lineman in the exhibition opener Saturday.

His next challenge under the bright lights come Sunday night at Denver. 

J

Josh Flickinger

contributor

@cyclonefanatic