Tyler Johnson Bio
Tyler Johnson, born on August 25, 1998, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is an American professional football wide receiver for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He gained recognition as a record-setting receiver at the University of Minnesota before being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Johnson has also spent time with the Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Rams, building a journeyman résumé across multiple organizations.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 207 pounds, Johnson combines reliable hands with the toughness developed through years of Big Ten competition. He earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Buccaneers and has continued to add depth to NFL rosters through practice-squad promotions and reserve roles.
Early Life and Background
Tyler Johnson was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, attending North Community High School in his hometown. At North Community, he played both quarterback and defensive back, showing versatility and a competitive edge from an early age. His dual-threat ability on offense and defense drew attention from several college programs.
Coming out of high school, Johnson received scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Iowa State, among others. He ultimately committed to play college football at the University of Minnesota, a program located near his hometown. The decision allowed him to develop in a familiar environment while preparing for a transition to wide receiver at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Johnson’s path to a professional football career began with his transition from high school quarterback to collegiate wide receiver at the University of Minnesota. As a true freshman in 2016, he appeared in all 13 games, recording 14 receptions for 141 yards and one touchdown. The following season, he started the first ten games before an injury ended his sophomore campaign, yet he still managed 35 catches for 677 yards and seven touchdowns.
His breakout came as a junior in 2018, when he started all 13 games and produced 78 receptions for school records of 1,169 yards and 12 touchdowns. That performance earned him First-Team All-Big Ten recognition from the media. Johnson returned for his senior year in 2019, refusing to enter the NFL draft early, and delivered an even stronger campaign with 86 catches for 1,318 yards and 13 touchdowns, leading the Big Ten in each major receiving category and earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors once again.
He capped his senior season with a 12-reception, 204-yard, two-touchdown performance against Auburn in the Outback Bowl, earning 2020 Outback Bowl MVP honors. Johnson left Minnesota ranked second all-time in school history with 213 receptions and as the all-time leader in both receiving yards (3,305) and receiving touchdowns (33).
Tyler Johnson Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Tyler Johnson was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 161st overall pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. In Week 5 of his rookie season, he recorded his first four career receptions for 61 receiving yards in a narrow loss to the Chicago Bears. A week later, he scored his first professional receiving touchdown on a seven-yard pass from Tom Brady against the Green Bay Packers.
Johnson finished his rookie year with 12 receptions for 169 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns across 14 games. During the postseason, he drew a critical pass-interference penalty in the NFC Championship Game against the Packers, helping Tampa Bay advance to Super Bowl LV. The Buccaneers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9, and Johnson earned a Super Bowl championship ring, even though he saw only one target in the final game.
Buccaneers Breakthrough (2020–2022)
Johnson’s most meaningful early contributions came as a role player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2020 championship run. Beyond his statistical production, his discipline and route-running helped him earn the trust of the Buccaneers coaching staff, particularly on key downs in the NFC Championship Game. That postseason moment, drawing a critical penalty against Kevin King, remains a defining memory of his early career.
The Buccaneers waived Johnson on August 30, 2022, ending his first stint with the team. After a brief period with the Houston Texans, where he was claimed off waivers on August 31, 2022, and released on October 25, he returned to Tampa Bay’s practice squad on October 31, 2022.
Jets Era (2025–Present)
On March 15, 2025, Tyler Johnson signed with the New York Jets, joining a roster seeking veteran depth at the wide receiver position. He was waived on August 26 but was re-signed to the practice squad the very next day. The Jets promoted him back to the active roster on September 8, 2025, signaling their intent to keep him involved in the rotation.
As a member of the Jets, Johnson is positioned as a reliable pass-catcher capable of contributing on offense and special teams. His journeyman experience across multiple organizations has given him a well-rounded understanding of varied offensive schemes.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he is a wide receiver rather than a driver, Johnson’s on-field strengths include precise route-running, reliable hands, and the physical toughness required to win contested catches. He excels at intermediate routes and has shown a consistent ability to create separation against zone coverage. His experience within multiple offensive systems has made him adaptable and dependable in third-down situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Johnson’s most notable achievements is his Super Bowl LV championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, earned as part of the 2020 roster. He also earned 2020 Outback Bowl MVP honors following a record-setting performance against Auburn, and he left the University of Minnesota as the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. His back-to-back First-Team All-Big Ten selections in 2018 and 2019 marked him as one of the conference’s top receivers during his college years.
Tyler Johnson Career Wins
While individual game-by-game win totals vary across his stops with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and New York Jets, Johnson’s most prominent team victory remains the Buccaneers’ 31–9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV. He has been part of multiple postseason rosters and has contributed in meaningful moments, including the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers.
NFL Highlights
Johnson’s NFL highlights include his first professional touchdown reception from Tom Brady and his pivotal pass-interference draw in the 2020 NFC Championship Game. Across his time with the Los Angeles Rams, he made 15 appearances with two starts in 2024, posting 26 receptions for 291 yards and one touchdown. He has appeared in more than 30 regular-season and postseason games combined throughout his NFL career.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the NFL, Johnson’s standout performance came in the 2020 Outback Bowl, where he earned MVP honors after recording 12 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns against Auburn. His 2019 senior season at Minnesota, in which he led the Big Ten in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, stands as one of the most productive individual campaigns in program history.
Tyler Johnson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details regarding Tyler Johnson’s family background are limited. He grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he attended North Community High School, suggesting strong ties to his hometown community. Further information about his parents or siblings has not been widely published.
Personal Life
There is no publicly verified information regarding Tyler Johnson’s spouse, children, or marital status. He continues his professional football career in the United States.
2025 Season Performance
Tyler Johnson joined the New York Jets on March 15, 2025, beginning a new chapter after stints with several other NFL franchises. He was waived on August 26 as teams trimmed their rosters to the regular-season limit, but the Jets re-signed him to the practice squad the next day. His promotion to the active roster on September 8 reflected the organization’s belief in his veteran experience and route-running reliability.
Throughout the 2025 season, Johnson is expected to provide depth at wide receiver while contributing on special teams. His familiarity with multiple offensive systems, including those run by past Buccaneers and Rams coaching staffs, may help him carve out a rotational role. The Jets’ depth chart at receiver offers opportunities for consistent contributors, particularly in third-down packages.
Looking ahead, Johnson’s goal will be to solidify a long-term role with the Jets while continuing to add to his professional production. His Super Bowl experience and consistent practice habits position him as a steady locker-room presence for a franchise in transition.