BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Another week, another big-time extension for the Buffalo Bills with the team signing nickel corner Taron Johnson to a three-year, $31 million extension, Johnson's agent Jason Chayut told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The extension makes Johnson the highest paid nickel corner and keeps him with the team through the 2027 season. The deal tops that of Kenny Moore II, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract extension with the Indianapolis Colts nearly a week ago.
"I feel extremely blessed, you know? I couldn't even see this far when I was a child," Johnson said on Monday. "It's a blessing beyond words. ... I hopefully can retire here in the future."
Johnson, 27, had one year left on his previous three-year contract extension, signed during the 2021 season. He was set to account for $12.41 million in cap space this year. The Bills have performed several moves this offseason to create more cap space with extensions among them. The new contract for Johnson comes a week after the Bills signed left tackle Dion Dawkins to a three-year extension of his own.
Both Johnson and Dawkins -- as well as the likes of linebacker Matt Milano and defensive tackle Ed Oliver -- fit the Bills' approach of drafting, developing and re-signing their own.
"The guys that [general manager Brandon Beane] drafted, he wants to keep around," Johnson said. "I love that about this place. Not other teams have that same culture, so it's just something that guys are attracted to whether it be free agency or not that it's more like a family, that when you're here, a lot of times you're here for a while."
Johnson was drafted by Buffalo in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft, part of a successful draft for the Bills that included many players playing at a high level in the league today such as first-rounders quarterback Josh Allen and now-Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
Johnson was named Second Team All-Pro for the first time in his career last season, finishing with a career-high three forced fumbles and 98 tackles. He is tied for the most quarterback pressures among slot corners since he entered the league (23, tied with Moore). He has been a consistently available leader of the Bills defense, playing in every game but one since the 2020 season, when he cemented his role as the starter after being benched for a game during the season. That postseason included his historic 101-yard pick-six vs. the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs. Johnson has recorded four regular-season interceptions, seven sacks, 32 passes defensed and 33 pass breakups.
Johnson has the ability to contribute from all over, both against the run and the pass, and his time on the field has been at a high over the past two seasons, playing 92.1% of defensive snaps in 2022 and 89.4% in 2023.
Entering his seventh season with the Bills, Johnson will be a key component of a changing secondary after the team moved on from safety Jordan Poyer and cornerback Tre'Davious White this offseason. Safety Micah Hyde is currently a free agent and shared at the end of the season that he was contemplating retirement.
"It's a new opportunity for me," Johnson said on being a veteran in the secondary. "I have to be more vocal this year, and I'm expecting to do that a lot. So, whatever that role leads for me, then that's what I'm gonna do. Whatever it takes."