Chiefs DB, 2x Super Bowl Champion, Wants to Stay in Kansas City, Accepts Rookie Pay Due to Underwhelming Performance

Kansas City, Missouri – 05/02/2026

As the offseason approaches, the Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for some changes to their roster, as free agency often brings movement among players. One player who may face a difficult decision about his future is defensive back Nazeeh Johnson, who is now an unrestricted free agent after a few seasons with the team.

Johnson, who was selected by the Chiefs in the 2022 NFL Draft as a seventh-round pick, has had a somewhat tumultuous journey. After returning to the Chiefs in 2025 as a restricted free agent, he is now free to sign with any team in mid-March. While free agency brings plenty of uncertainty for any player, Johnson is confident that his future still lies with Kansas City.

“I think [the Chiefs] are going to bring me back,” Johnson said. “I can test the market and see how much I’m valued, but the Chiefs know what I can do. We can’t have communication right now because of the [free agency rules], but I have a good understanding with them. They know my talent level. Now, it’s just seeing how other teams value me. Do other teams see me as a safety, do they see me as a corner, a nickel? But the thing I can rest my hat on is that I’m a special teams person. I can make plays on special teams, and I’m also someone that can play defensive snaps.”

Johnson is proud of his ability to contribute on special teams, a crucial area for any NFL team. He emphasized that, with the new kickoff rule, special teams players can make a significant impact and earn a solid living. “I’m a good asset to any program,” he added. “Especially to the Chiefs. I just went out there and proved it. With the new kickoff rule, you can make a good living being a special teams player. It’s like another form of defense or another offensive player. It gives people that are on the bubble or may not be a starter in the coaches’ eyes a chance to get that NFL paycheck.”

Since entering the league in 2022, Johnson has played in 29 regular-season games, although he missed all of 2023 due to injury and only appeared in two games in 2025. Despite his injury struggles, Johnson remains optimistic about finding a new role and a new contract with a team.

Should Kansas City Be Interested in Signing Johnson Back?

While Johnson is eager to return to the Chiefs, the decision ultimately lies with the team. Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and special teams coordinator Dave Toub are familiar with Johnson, which could work in his favor. However, his performance on the field in 2024-25 may raise some concerns. In that season, Johnson allowed 23 catches on 42 targets and posted a 107.7 passer rating against him. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked 111th among 135 cornerbacks with 200+ snaps played, with a 53.9 overall grade and a coverage grade of just 51.2, ranking 115th.

In 2024-25, Johnson spent the majority of his time as a boundary cornerback but also played some snaps in the slot and as a safety. However, he was often behind players like Trent McDuffie and Chamarri Conner in nickel packages. Johnson came to Kansas City as a safety but has since played multiple positions in the defensive backfield.

At 27 years old, Johnson is still in his athletic prime, but with a history of knee and shoulder injuries, he may not attract offers from teams willing to pay him top-tier money. While it’s unlikely he’ll land a multi-million-dollar deal, Johnson could still be a valuable depth player, particularly for a team like Kansas City looking to fill out its special teams and defensive back rotation.

If the Chiefs are interested in re-signing Johnson, they may be able to do so at a more affordable rate, as Johnson could sign for a veteran minimum deal. Johnson’s confidence in returning to Kansas City indicates that both sides are open to making a deal, with the Chiefs potentially looking to bring him back for depth purposes.

As free agency approaches, it remains to be seen whether Johnson will get the deal he’s hoping for, but for now, he’s confident that the Chiefs will be part of his future plans.