Canal Street Chronicles
How the former WR could have his best season yet.
New Orleans Saints TE Juwan Johnson, who has spent five seasons in the NFL, has been good but not great during his time in New Orleans. Fortunately, he is poised for a breakout season in 2025.
Heading into OTAs, Johnson is the TE #1, with Moreau and Hill fighting injuries and the rest being relatively unknown. He has a former QB of his plus a shiny new contract. This next year for him is set to be the most important of his career.
Johnson has only been a tight end for four seasons, signing as a UDFA wide receiver out of Oregon in 2020. He signed a three-year $30 million extension with the team earlier in the offseason, despite the fact that he’s yet to have an all-pro or all-star season. But he has still managed to come through for the Saints, on the field and in the locker room. That’s what earned him the new deal.
“It was only right to come back and kind of finish something that we started,” Johnson said to the media after inking the deal. “I’m really, really appreciative of being here, thanking the front office, thanking the head coach for trusting me and bringing me back. I’m ready to get to work.”
In April, the Saints drafted Tyler Shough, his former college quarterback, in the second round. That’s sure to be a boost for the TE as well as a huge benefit for the young QB.
When asked about what he remembers about his time at Oregon with Johnson, the new Saints QB said that they had a big bro/little bro relationship.
“Juwan’s my guy; I love that dude.” Shough said to the media. “He was so pivotal to me, just on a faith journey; he had such a huge impact on me.”
And so far, it looks like the two are back to their old ways:
