Brandon Johnson Bio
Brandon Edward Johnson (born July 26, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver who has played in the National Football League (NFL). Johnson is currently a free agent after most recently spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad in 2025. Over the course of his career, he has been a member of the Denver Broncos, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Buccaneers, working primarily as a depth receiver and special teams contributor.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 195 pounds, Johnson developed into a reliable pass catcher during his college career split between the Tennessee Volunteers and the UCF Knights. Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022, he has shown flashes of playmaking ability while working to establish a long-term role at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Edward Johnson was born on July 26, 1998, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He grew up in a family with deep ties to professional sports, as his father, Charles Johnson, played in Major League Baseball. Johnson also has a notable family connection on his mother’s side of the family: his cousin is former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Johnson, one of the most recognizable pass catchers of his era.
Johnson attended American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where he played high school football and developed into a Division I recruit. His time at American Heritage helped lay the foundation for his eventual college career at a major conference program, and it was there that he began to attract attention from college scouts across the country.
Path to American Football
Johnson began his collegiate career at the University of Tennessee, where he played for the Volunteers from 2016 through 2020 under head coaches Butch Jones and Jeremy Pruitt. During his five seasons in Knoxville, he appeared in a number of games and gradually developed into a steady contributor, finishing his Tennessee tenure with 79 receptions for 969 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, along with a punt return touchdown.
Looking for a fresh opportunity in his final college season, Johnson transferred to UCF for the 2021 campaign. He quickly emerged as a featured target in the Knights’ offense, recording 38 receptions for 565 receiving yards and a team-leading 11 receiving touchdowns. His production at UCF helped position him for a chance to compete at the professional level, even though he was not selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Brandon Johnson Career
Early Career (2022)
On April 30, 2022, the Denver Broncos signed Brandon Edward Johnson as an undrafted free agent, giving him his first opportunity in the NFL. His initial stint in Denver was brief, as he was waived with an injury settlement on August 30 after suffering an ankle sprain. The Broncos re-signed him on October 18 and added him to their practice squad, setting the stage for his eventual elevation to the active roster.
Johnson made his NFL debut on November 20, 2022, against the Las Vegas Raiders, catching one pass for two yards in a 22-16 loss. Later that month, in a Week 12 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, he scored his first career NFL touchdown on a one-yard reception. He finished his rookie campaign appearing in seven games with six receptions for 42 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2022-2024)
Johnson’s most memorable professional moment came during the 2023 season while still with the Denver Broncos. In Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, with Denver trailing 35-27 and only three seconds remaining, Johnson hauled in a 50-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass from quarterback Russell Wilson as time expired. The dramatic play became one of the highlights of his career, although the Broncos ultimately fell 35-33 after failing to convert the two-point attempt.
Johnson appeared in 13 games with two starts during the 2023 season, finishing the year with 19 receptions for 284 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. He spent time on injured reserve with a hamstring injury but returned to action in December. On August 27, 2024, the Broncos waived him, closing out his tenure in Denver.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024-2025)
The day after his release from Denver, on August 28, 2024, Johnson was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad. He appeared in three games during the 2024 season and signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers on January 14, 2025. Johnson continued to work toward a larger role in Pittsburgh, but injuries again complicated his path forward.
On August 26, 2025, Johnson was waived by the Steelers with an injury designation as part of final roster cuts, and he was released from injured reserve on August 29. His time in Pittsburgh reflected the challenges of earning a stable roster spot in a competitive wide receiver room.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025)
On October 22, 2025, Johnson was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad, marking his third NFL team. He was released by the Buccaneers on December 15, 2025, concluding his stint in Tampa Bay and bringing his 2025 season to a close.
Brandon Johnson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brandon Edward Johnson comes from a family with deep roots in professional sports. His father, Charles Johnson, played in Major League Baseball, giving Brandon an early understanding of the demands and discipline required at the highest levels of competition. Johnson’s cousin is former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots wide receiver Chad Johnson, one of the most dynamic receivers of his generation.
Personal Life
Johnson is an American citizen who was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He attended American Heritage School before continuing his football career at the University of Tennessee and later at UCF. Beyond his connections to professional baseball and football through his father and cousin, Johnson has generally kept his personal life out of the public eye.
2025 Season Performance
Brandon Edward Johnson’s 2025 season was defined by movement between practice squads and injury setbacks. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2025 but was waived with an injury designation on August 26 as part of the team’s final roster cuts. After being released from injured reserve on August 29, he briefly remained a free agent before finding a new opportunity.
On October 22, 2025, Johnson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad, giving him a chance to compete for an active roster spot in the second half of the season. He was ultimately released by the Buccaneers on December 15, 2025, bringing his 2025 campaign to a close without an appearance on an active regular-season roster.
Looking ahead, Johnson will be looking to secure a reserve/future deal or a training camp invitation for the 2026 NFL season as he continues his pursuit of a stable role in the league.