Despite wanting to keep an effective secondary, Cardinals’ head coach Bruce Arians must deal with losing a valuable member.
Free safety Rashad Johnson had been visiting with the Tennessee Titans during the last couple of week and per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, he and the Titans agreed to a one-year contract.
Johnson was productive in seven season at Arizona, but really came on strong in the last two years. He totaled 154 tackles, a sack, two fumble recoveries and nine interceptions combined in 2014 and 2015. Johnson leaves the Cardinals with 345 career tackles, four fumble recoveries and 15 interceptions.
Arizona took him in third round (95th pick) of the 2009 NFL Draft. The former Alabama standout played under head coach Mike Shula (2004-06) and then Nick Saban (2007-08).
Johnson anchored the Crimson Tide’s secondary in 2008, collecting 189 tackles, five interceptions and two touchdowns.
He helped the program achieve 12 wins in Saban’s second year, earning first-team All-SEC selection honors.
The move to the nation’s country music capital—Nashville, Tenn.—gives Alabama fans more chances to see Johnson play.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
