In a heartfelt announcement on Instagram, veteran defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson shared that he is officially retiring from the NFL at the age of 30. Johnson, a fourth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 out of the University of Iowa, has had quite the journey over his seven years in the league.
After playing out his four-year, $3.07 million contract—complete with a $678,360 signing bonus—Johnson entered the open market as an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. The Houston Texans brought him on board in 2020, but his time with the team was marked by ups and downs, including being among the final roster cuts that season. He had a brief flicker with the New Orleans Saints before making his way back to Houston for the 2021 campaign.
The next year saw Johnson return to New Orleans on a one-year deal, but unfortunate circumstances landed him on injured reserve before his eventual release. It was a similar story with the Atlanta Falcons, where he initially joined their practice squad before being signed to the Texans’ roster. After a few weeks with Houston, he found himself back in Atlanta, where he completed the season.
In May 2023, Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, but after a tough preseason, he was waived. He would later rejoin the practice squad and see some time on the active roster, continuing to showcase his resilience and dedication to the game.
Throughout his career, Johnson appeared in 86 games, making contributions to the Vikings, Texans, Falcons, and Titans. His stats tell the story of a solid defensive presence: 149 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. While his playing days may be behind him, Johnson’s impact on the field and his perseverance through the ups and downs of the league will certainly be remembered by fans and teammates alike.
