Taron Johnson, the Raiders' key offseason trade, has been notably absent from team activities and social media. His lack of presence raises questions about his status with the team as the offseason progresses.
Key points
Taron Johnson was traded to the Raiders as a key offseason acquisition.
He has been absent from team activities and promotional materials.
Johnson's social media still identifies him with the Buffalo Bills.
His absence raises concerns about the Raiders' defensive strategy.
Taron JohnsonLas Vegas RaidersBuffalo Bills
Where Is Taron Johnson? The Raidersâ Best Offseason Trade Has Quietly Vanished
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
The Las Vegas Raiders made a quiet but important move before free agency opened this spring. They traded for Taron Johnson, one of the best slot cornerbacks in football, to plug a hole thatâs haunted this defense for three years.
And now, nobody can find him.
Not in the teamâs offseason photo dumps, nor in the background of any workout shots from Intermountain Health Performance Center. Johnson was not in the welcome graphics the Raiders rolled out for every other offseason addition. Not on his own social media, where his X bio still claims he plays for the Buffalo Bills. The Raiders are deep into Phase Two of the offseason program and the Silver and Blackâs most experienced defensive back acquisition has been a ghost.
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Nov 19, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Taylor Rapp (left) was injured on a tackle of New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) requiring an ambulance in the second quarter. Also in the play is Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7) at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Just Blog Baby was first to flag it, walking through the evidence in detail and noting what the Raiders did and didnât do publicly. Every other addition this offseason got the full social media welcome treatment from the team. Tyler Linderbaum. Quay Walker. Nakobe Dean. Kwity Paye. Jalen Nailor. Even Cameron McGrone, the linebacker who just signed this week, got the standard graphic.
Johnson got nothing. From the team or from himself.
Some context on whatâs at stake here. Johnson is a six-year veteran with 79 starts in Buffalo. Heâs a former second-team All-Pro who anchored a Bills secondary that played in three AFC Championships. The Raiders gave up real draft capital to get him. And the way Rob Leonardâs defense is structured, the slot corner is one of the most important pieces on the field, because the AFC West throws receivers into that area on every other snap. Kansas City does it. The Chargers do it. Denver does it.
If Johnson isnât here, the whole back end of this defense gets harder.
Is It Really Time to Panic on Johnsonâs No-Show?
NFL: Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Now the fair counterargument.
Voluntary means voluntary. Plenty of veterans skip phases of offseason programs. Johnson isnât under contract obligation to be at the building yet. He follows the Raiders, Maxx Crosby and Jeremy Chinn on Instagram, which at least signals he hasnât mentally checked out. He hasnât posted on X since 2021, so the bio thing is probably just neglect, not a statement.
But the math still doesnât add up.
Klint Kubiak said this week that with OTA reps being more limited than they used to be, you have to be intentional about your time. Translation from coach-speak to plain English: every rep matters and players who arenât there are falling behind. The Raiders donât have the luxury of letting a starting-caliber slot corner show up late and play catch-up against Patrick Mahomes in Week 1.
Johnson is brand new to this scheme. Heâs never played a snap in a Rob Leonard defense. Heâs never played alongside Jeremy Chinn, rookie Treydan Stukes, or Jermod McCoy. The whole secondary needs to learn how to play together and the most veteran piece of it has been invisible since April.
Phase Two is rolling. The rest of the team is in the building doing the work. If Johnson shows up before mandatory minicamp, the story dies a quiet death and nobody outside Raider Nation ever thinks about it again.
If he doesnât, the Raiders have a real problem on their hands.
