Loneliness, resiliency and using Madden: The life of the NFL’s most prolific journeyman

In 2008, Josh Johnson entered the NFL as a rookie during a different era, when Tom Brady was early in his career and Aaron Rodgers was just becoming the Packers' starter. Since then, Johnson has played for a record 14 different NFL teams, including multiple stints with the 49ers, Ravens, and others, taking him across the US and even into other leagues.

Johnson describes this unique journey, marked by ups and downs, loneliness, and doubt, as teaching him lessons about football, life, family, and himself. He views his record as a testament to "resiliency," "faith," and "determination," traits he attributes to his family that helped him overcome unfavorable situations.

Drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008, Johnson served as a backup and went 0-5 in his starts. Seeking new opportunities, he later signed with his childhood team, the San Francisco 49ers, who were then coached by his college coach, Jim Harbaugh. However, this promising move ended when Johnson was cut from the 49ers ahead of the 2012 season, losing the third quarterback spot to Scott Tolzien behind Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick.

This cut, the first of his career and delivered by his college coach with his hometown team, deeply impacted Johnson. He vividly remembers feeling like his "world ended" that day, acknowledging it wasn't part of his initial plan. Facing this blow to his confidence, Johnson focused on staying true to himself.