When he began his rookie year in 1992, Brad Johnson was viewed as little more than a quarterback project.
The Minnesota Vikings had drafted him in the 9th round despite the fact that he was primarily a backup in college.
His first four years in the NFL brought only nine game appearances and zero touchdown passes.
Then, in 1996, Johnson’s fifth year in the league, he finally got an opportunity to start full time and passed for over 2,200 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Brad Johnson, @Vikings QB – 20th Anniversary – In 2005, Johnson, led the NFL with a league low 1.4% interception percentage (Per PFR) #SKOL #Vikings #Minnesota #NFL #NFLUK #NFL2025 #NFLRedZone #NFLDraft #nflnews pic.twitter.com/7HeKcHx3Sj
— Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador (@PFHOFAmbassador) June 1, 2025
After spending two years in Washington in 1999 and 2000, Johnson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2001.
Just one year later, he led the Bucs to a 12-4 record and a Super Bowl XXXVII showdown with the Oakland Raiders and their QB, Rich Gannon, Johnson’s former Vikings’ teammate.
While Johnson played well during the contest, the Tampa Bay defense was ruthless and paved the way for a resounding victory.
Following another stint with Minnesota and two years with Dallas, Johnson retired in 2009.
Since then, he has coached football at the youth and high school levels, developed a following on TikTok as a trick shot artist, and competed in national Pop-A-Shot championships.
This is the story of Brad Johnson.
Two-Sport Athlete
James Bradley (Brad) Johnson was born on September 13, 1968, in Marietta, Georgia.
September 13th BOTD
1968 Brad Johnson (57 years old) American NFL quarterback (Minnesota Vikings), born in Marietta, Georgia
Brad Johnson is an NFL quarterback known for being the starting quarterback of the Super Bowl XXXVII champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and for being the… pic.twitter.com/ZSqIXC1g93
— Dan El Captain (@Mrstanleycup) September 13, 2025
His future was preordained when he was born into an athletic family and surrounded by sports.
Johnson’s father, Rick, was a high school basketball coach (following the family’s move to North Carolina) and his mother, Ellen, was a physical education teacher.
Tagging along with his dad to hoops games across the state infected Brad with a love for the game.
Not only did he enjoy playing basketball, but Johnson also had a blast playing football, and he dedicated himself to the quarterback position.
“I was always good at throwing a football, and played football since second grade, and all those kinds of things just grew into my passion,” Johnson said in 2023. “Just the grind of playing the position, but it’s something that I love to do.”
He suited up for both sports at Owen High School (Black Mountain, North Carolina) Warhorses, and excelled.
When Johnson was a freshman, he played on the same squad with Brad Daugherty, a future NBA all-star.
After Daugherty graduated, Johnson took over and was an all-state hoops player.
By the time he finished his high school basketball career, Johnson was the second athlete in his county to score over 2,000 points and helped the school reach the state semifinals.
Senior Year
On the gridiron, Johnson was a gifted QB with a prototype frame.
Not only did he have a live right arm, but Johnson towered well over six feet and 200 pounds.
Passing yards and touchdowns came somewhat easy, but his first love was basketball and he felt like he had something to prove on the court before his senior year.
“When I was a senior at Owen, I quit football. I was going to put all of my effort into basketball,” he said in 2025. “We had not had much success my first three years, and we were looking for our third head coach in four years. I actually missed the first three days of fall football camp.”
However, a new football coach for the Warhorses sought out Johnson and convinced him to keep playing ball.
“At the end of that conversation, he told me he understood my disappointment in my football career, but to be careful about putting all of my eggs into one basket,” Johnson said. “He said we’re going to work hard, have fun and win, but more importantly, we’re going to earn respect and make the Valley proud,” Johnson said. “Those last two things — respect and making the Valley proud — talked me into playing football.”
The intervention worked for both player and team.
Max Johnson is the son of Brad Johnson, who started and won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers.
Brad is from Black Mountain, N.C., and went to Owen HS, the same high school Roy Williams’ coaching career began.
— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) August 30, 2024
While Johnson was leading Owen High to a winning record and the third round of the state playoffs, he played so well that he was named a High School All-American and major colleges showed interest.
In four years as the leader of the Warhorse football team, Johnson passed for over 4,500 yards.
He then accepted a scholarship to play at Florida State University.
Florida State
Typically, when multi-sport athletes depart high school for college, they leave behind the idea of playing more than one sport at the next level.
Johnson was not one of those athletes.
He fully intended to play football and basketball in college, and Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden had no problem with the idea.
After all, it wasn’t like Johnson would be the only athlete splitting time with the ball club.
Uber-talented cornerback Deion Sanders locked down opposing receivers in the fall, batted over .300 for the baseball team, and ran track in the spring.
Deion Sanders (right) – Florida State Seminoles Track
In addition to football & baseball, Sanders also ran track at #FSU.
He is the only player in #NCAA history to win conference titles in two different sports on the same day. #Falcons #FTTB #DallasCowboys #Braves #Noles pic.twitter.com/F9e5jl3lQl
— Legends In The Wrong Uniforms (@WrongUnis) March 14, 2023
When he was a redshirt freshman in 1987, Johnson watched as starting QB Danny McManus led the Seminoles to an 11-1 record and victory over Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl.
In 1988, Chip Ferguson also led FSU to an 11-1 record and Sugar Bowl win over Auburn.
On the roster that season at quarterback was Ferguson, Johnson, junior Peter Tom Willis and redshirt freshman Casey Weldon.
During the season, Johnson was the holder for field goals and briefly played quarterback, attempting 13 passes, completing eight, and passing for 81 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Although he saw very little playing time for the football team, Johnson pulled on a tanktop and shorts for the ‘Noles basketball team and played often.
We remind Viking fans that Brad Johnson was a Varsity Basketball and Football player at Florida State. He started in his Freshman year in March Madness here. When he brushes his hair, that is a signal to his Mom at home that he okay at school. pic.twitter.com/EeNWyy2cas
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) March 20, 2021
In 1987-1988, he started 12 games as a forward and averaged 5.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
The following year, Johnson mostly rode the pine and his averages fell to 1.8 points and 0.6 rebounds.
A Productive Junior Year
By the end of summer practice in 1989, Bowden picked Willis to lead the ‘Noles.
That proved to be a wise choice as the QB broke 15 program records while passing for over 3,100 yards and 20 touchdowns.
FSU went 10-2 and crushed Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl, 41-17.
Johnson held down the fort as a third-stringer behind Willis and Weldon, but he got just enough playing time to pass for 67 yards.
Legacy week continues for @FSUFootball. The #Seminoles have offered 2022 TE Jake Johnson the son of former QB Brad Johnson. Yesterday the #Noles offered Marvin Jones Jr.@OsceolaNews pic.twitter.com/RLZzpzWHHU
— Patrick Burnham (@PatB5153) February 28, 2020
Willis left for the NFL in 1990, and Johnson was named the starter at the beginning of the season.
He completed 66.9% of his passes for 1,136 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions, and scored twice on the ground.
During an October stretch, the ‘Noles lost to Miami and Auburn in back-to-back games, and Bowden yanked Johnson in favor of Weldon.
The result was a six-game win streak to end the year including a Blockbuster Bowl victory against Penn State.
Senior Year
Weldon continued to start for the ‘Noles in 1991, although Johnson got an opportunity to start once and play in nine games, passing for 462 yards, five touchdowns, and three picks.
FSU went 11-2, (the two losses came at the end of the regular season when the ‘Noles lost to in-state rivals Miami and Florida by a combined six points).
They salvaged the year by squeaking past Texas A&M, 10-2, in the Cotton Bowl.
During his four years, Johnson passed for 1,746 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Additionally, he rushed for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
As his college career came to an end, Johnson’s athletic future looked like it was finished.
Turns out he was just getting started.
Surprise Draft Pick
Before the 1992 NFL Combine kicked off in February that year, Johnson was contacted to take part in the event, but not to show his stuff in front of scouts.
“I was really a backup at Florida State my senior year, so I didn’t have much game tape. Somehow, I got to the combine … I got to be one of the three extra guys to throw to receivers and DBs and linebackers and running backs,” Johnson recalled in 2020.
Johnson showed enough skill that a few teams approached him to say they were thinking of picking him in the later rounds of the upcoming draft.
Thankfully, 1992 was the last year that the draft had 12 rounds (it would be reduced to eight rounds in 1993, then seven in 1994).
The New York Giants expressed interest, but took Ohio State’s Kent Graham in the 8th round.
Shortly after, the Atlanta Falcons called and told Johnson they would bring him in as an undrafted free agent if he wasn’t selected.
Former #Vikings QB Brad Johnson will sound the Gjallarhorn prior to #CHIvsMIN. pic.twitter.com/UCHZaGVdY6
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 29, 2018
The QB didn’t like the idea.
“I said, ‘Listen dude, if I don’t get drafted, I’m going to go be a school teacher back home.’ That’s kind of where it was,” said Johnson.
A few more rounds went by until Johnson and his dad just happened to notice his name on the television screen.
“Then the ninth round came by, my dad and I are sitting on my dorm room floor, and my name came across the ticker,” Johnson said. “My dad is celebrating. I’m like, ‘What?!?’ But we had to wait for the ticker to come through again. So it did and I saw it, and right at that time Denny Green called me. I was the 226th pick in the draft.”
With the 227th overall selection (Johnson was off by one pick) in the 9th round of the NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings took their developmental quarterback.
Biding His Time
Although Johnson was happy to get drafted, he was shocked at the QB names that were picked before him.
David Klinger was the first off the board with the sixth overall pick to Cincinnati, and UCLA’s Tommy Maddox went to Denver later in the round.
Casey Weldon, Johnson’s teammate at FSU, went to Philadelphia in the 4th round.
East Carolina’s Jeff Blake was selected by the New York Jets in the 6th round, but would later become a notable starter for Cincinnati.
“I knew all of those quarterbacks,” Johnson said. “I said, ‘Dadgummit, I’m better than that one, that one, that one, that one.’ But it’s where you’re drafted.”
In 1992, Minnesota already had veterans Rich Gannon and Sean Salisbury on the roster.
The Vikings went 11-5 and lost to Washington in the wild-card round while Johnson sat on the bench all season.
Just before 1993, the team added former Chicago Bears legend Jim McMahon and also drafted Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta from Miami.
Minnesota Vikings Preseason 1993 – The odd look of former Bear Jim McMahon as a Viking and former 49er Joe Montana as a Chief just before a training camp scrimmage in July1993. pic.twitter.com/Iv4V3O8etg
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) August 11, 2025
McMahon would start 12 games as Minnesota went 9-7 and lost to the New York Giants in the wild-card.
Johnson continued to watch from the sidelines and posted zero stats for the second straight year.
Then, in April 1994, the Houston Oilers traded Warren Moon to the Vikings and Johnson sat behind him for the ‘94 and 1995 seasons while getting enough snaps to tally 422 yards and two interceptions combined.
Starter at Last
In the spring of 1995, the Vikings sent Johnson overseas to play for the London Monarchs of the World League, the NFL’s de facto minor league development organization.
From our "Before they were NFL Stars" series – Brad Johnson playing for the WLAF's London Monarchs. Opie in Europe! @mattbirk @toddsteussie pic.twitter.com/lHnWJbkqan
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) July 26, 2017
As London went 4-6, Johnson passed for 2,227 yards, 13 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and his 194 completions led all World League quarterbacks that year.
“But looking back it was one of the greatest moves I’ve made,” said Johnson in 2003. “ It wasn’t about the conditions, it was about getting game experience. I needed to go out and make plays, make mistakes, hopefully learn from them and then have a chance to play for the team I was with, Minnesota Vikings.”
He returned to Minnesota to finish out the year as the Vikings missed the playoffs.
Then, in 1996, Moon suffered from injuries and Johnson (now in his fifth season) started a game for the first time in his NFL career.
Vikings at Lions Week 1996: Brad Johnson and Cris Carter have big days as the Vikings edge Detroit 24-22 to go to 8-6 and keep their playoff hopes alive. Amp Lee and Jake Redd TDs! @JakeReed86 pic.twitter.com/XKaitUCMrh
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) October 30, 2025
His eight total starts produced a 5-3 record, 2,258 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 10 picks, and one rushing touchdown.
Minnesota returned to the playoffs, but was crushed by the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round, 40-15.
Fluke Play Gets Johnson an ESPY
Coach Green turned to Johnson as the starter for 1997 and he went on a hot streak.
Brad Johnson is all smiles after he signed his 4 year, $15M contract to be the starting QB in 1997. Injuries derailed the plan in late 1997 and early 1998. He would go on to lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl, and his replacement in MIN lasted just a few games into 1999. pic.twitter.com/l6915TOcll
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) February 26, 2021
When the Vikings beat the Arizona Cardinals in Week 6, Johnson set a team record with 15 consecutive games with a touchdown pass.
A week later against the Carolina Panthers, the QB dropped back to pass and threw the ball, only to have it deflected back to him.
Without hesitating, Johnson caught the ball and ran it three yards for a touchdown.
October 12, 1997: Vikings QB Brad Johnson throws a TD pass to himself vs the Panthers. pic.twitter.com/F0nRVwlC5H
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) October 12, 2023
That made him the first player in NFL history to complete a pass to themself for a touchdown (two more quarterbacks have also scored similar touchdowns since then).
He would then receive an ESPY award by ESPN after the season for the NFL Play of the Year.
With Minnesota sitting at 8-4, Johnson sustained a severe neck injury against the Jets in Week 13.
The injury ended his year and former Eagles QB Randall Cunningham took over.
Johnson ended the season with 3,036 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
A Footnote to History
In the 1st round of the 1998 NFL Draft, the Vikings selected Marshall receiver Randy Moss with the 21st overall pick.
When the season began, the entire team knew how good Moss was and Johnson, who was named the starter again after his neck healed, wanted to get him the ball early and often.
During the first game of the season against Tampa Bay, the quarterback saw the rookie streaking down the left side of the field and let fly, despite two defenders closing on Moss.
“If it was 1-on-1, you gave him the shot,” Johnson said in 2018. “If it was 2-on-1, it was a 50-50 ball. That’s how good he was.”
Moss easily caught the ball and scored his first NFL touchdown.
He scored again in the second quarter, also on a pass thrown by Johnson, thereby making him the first QB to throw Moss his first two touchdowns in a Hall of Fame career.
Happy Birthday @Brad_Johnson_14
Brad threw @RandyMoss his first 2 touchdowns.#Vikings
https://t.co/lANssMiH31— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) September 14, 2022
Unfortunately, Johnson wouldn’t be able to hook up with Moss again.
In Week 2, he was sidelined late in the game against the St. Louis Rams and Cunningham led a coming out party in his place.
Johnson would play in a few more games that year, but it was Cunningham who found Moss and fellow receiver Cris Carter most often, propelling Minnesota to a 15-1 record, and an NFL record for most points scored during the regular season.
The Vikings rode the Moss hype-train all the way to the NFC Championship game before getting upset by the Atlanta Falcons at home.
Vikings Trade Johnson to Washington
Even though the Vikings’ dream season ended one game short of the Super Bowl, Denny Green and company believed they had a magic formula in Cunningham and Moss.
The coach named Cunningham the starter for 1999 and then traded Johnson to the Washington Redskins for draft picks.
“Growing up in North Carolina, Washington was really the only team that was actually on TV at that time,” Johnson said. “So I grew up loving Joe Theismann and Doug Williams, and felt like I had football cards of every football player for Washington at that time.”
Seven years after he was drafted by the Vikings, Johnson was still grateful for what Green did for him.
“You just don’t know where your future lies. I wouldn’t have been picked [in 1993]. But it’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” Johnson said. “I was grateful for Denny Green at that time because they brought me along at a slow pace. Denny always did a great job of developing and holding onto his draft picks.”
When Johnson got to D.C. he was welcomed by Weldon, the former FSU QB who started over him in college and had become a Redskin in 1998.
#Redskins Pro Bowl QB @Brad_Johnson_14 is back on Twitter after getting his account hacked!! Give him a follow, hes the nicest guy, and has some crazy trick-shot skills! #HTTR pic.twitter.com/AI5ZkOpuAi
— Tʜᴇ DC Wᴏʟꜰᴘᴀᴄᴋ (@TheDCWolfpack) May 30, 2023
Rodney Peete was also on the roster, but Johnson started every game for the first time in his career.
As Washington went 10-6 and advanced to the divisional round (their first postseason appearance since 1992) before losing to Tampa Bay, Johnson handed off to Stephen Davis and passed to teammates such as Michael Westbrook and Larry Centers.
He was voted to his first career Pro Bowl after passing for 4,005 yards (career-high, and just the second QB in team history to pass for over 4,000 yards), 24 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and rushing for two scores.
Johnson Becomes a Buccaneer
In the spring of 2000, the Redskins signed quarterback Jeff George, who had coincidentally spent 1999 in Minnesota.
Then-team owner Daniel Snyder made more moves by signing notable names such as Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders and Mark Carrier to help get the franchise back to the Super Bowl.
Johnson started the first nine games of the year before tearing a ligament in his knee.
2000 Washington Redskins
QB1 – Brad Johnson
QB2 – Jeff George
QB3 – Todd Husak pic.twitter.com/oJyDxiX6ZU— P.W. McDonnell (@burdknowsball) October 26, 2024
By October, he told the media that it looked like he would be playing elsewhere in 2001.
“I want to be a Redskin, but we’re at a point now it’s got to be strictly football,” Johnson said. “We don’t want to put this any further into the season. It hasn’t been a distraction for me, but this is something that will be a decision next spring, and that’s kind of the best way to leave it.”
George played in Johnson’s place, but the marquee-name Redskins didn’t live up to expectations and missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record.
1-15-2000, Buccaneers squeaked by Redskins 14-13. @BMitchliveNBCS opened 2nd half with 100 yard kick return. Washington led 13-0 mid 3rd. A Brad Johnson pick led to a short TD run for Mike Alstott. @realshaunking later found John Davis for a 1 yard TD. Johnson botched snap on FG. pic.twitter.com/rtxuAG13Mx
— Scott F (@TheFrizz87) January 15, 2022
Johnson passed for 2,505 yards, 11 touchdowns and 15 picks during his starts.
After being pursued by Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick (Johnson’s former offensive coordinator in Minnesota), the quarterback instead chose to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 2001.
Chasing a Ring
During Tampa Bay’s 9-7 season, Johnson started all 16 games for the second time in his career.
He passed 559 times and completed 340 passes for 3,406 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and ran for a career-high three touchdowns.
Johnson’s attempts, completions, and yardage all set franchise records.
Happy 54th bday Brad Johnson! Once threw a TD pass to himself. Cha-ching in fantasy! Made Pro Bowl in 1999 when threw for career high 4005 yards with Redskins. Had 22/6 TD/INT in 2002 & won Super Bowl with Bucs. Returned to Vikings in 2005 & went 7-2 with 12/4 TD/INT. pic.twitter.com/oHeJZKThTv
— Scott F (@TheFrizz87) September 14, 2022
Then, shortly after the team’s 31-9 wild-card loss to Philadelphia, head coach Tony Dungy was fired and replaced with former Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden.
Tampa Bay’s 2002 roster was loaded.
Johnson was on an offense that included Mike Alstott, Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius.
While starting 13 games, Johnson passed for 3,049 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just six picks for an NFL-best 1.3 interception percentage (which also set a team mark), and he led the NFC with a 92.9 passer rating (also a first in team history).
#Buccaneers corner Ronde Barber's 92-yard pick-six late in the 2002 NFC Championship, closing down Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium and closing out the Eagles, 27-10.
The #Bucs' first NFC title, OTD in 2003 pic.twitter.com/Amd1gwObha
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 20, 2022
He was then voted to his second Pro Bowl.
“The offense was very underrated,” Johnson said. “Led the NFC in passing that year, and ended up making the Pro Bowl. We had so many great players that just kind of got overshadowed, because the defense was one of the greatest of all time, but it takes a whole team to win it.”
Following a 12-4 regular season, the Bucs throttled San Francisco in the divisional round before beating Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game.
Super Bowl XXXVII
The win over Philly meant that Tampa Bay was going to the Super Bowl for the first time in team history.
They would meet Gruden’s former team, the Raiders, for a showdown in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Las Vegas oddsmakers installed the Raiders as four-point favorites before the game, but they weren’t prepared for the ineptitude of the Oakland offense or the Bucs’ top-ranked defense.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied at three.
It would soon turn into a blowout as the Tampa Bay defense scored 21 points on three pick-sixes.
Johnson’s former Vikings teammate, Raiders QB Rich Gannon, was sacked five times, and Gannon set a Super Bowl record with five interceptions.
When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers destroyed the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/fT1md4SVPk
— Back Then Football (@BackThenFB) May 23, 2026
Johnson passed for 215 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the Bucs’ 48-21 blowout win.
Years later, he shared with the media that he paid ballboys before the Super Bowl to prep the game balls the way he preferred.
“I paid some guys off to get the balls right. I went and got all 100 footballs, and they took care of all of them,” Johnson said.
He also explained that he didn’t think there was anything wrong with what he did as he had conferred with Gannon before the game.
Former Bucs QB Brad Johnson says he paid people to tamper with footballs before SB XXXVII http://t.co/9G0FJioAoR pic.twitter.com/p8R5PAwW2g
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 21, 2015
Johnson claimed that both QBs wanted the new footballs scrubbed so they weren’t slick and unmanageable during the contest.
Back to Minnesota
In 2003, Johnson started every game and led the NFL with 570 pass attempts.
He completed 354 of them for 3,811 yards, 26 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
Surprisingly, the Bucs missed the postseason with a 7-9 record.
A year later, Gruden benched Johnson after four games and an 0-4 start.
Backups Chris Simms and Brian Griese started the rest of the season, and Johnson ended the year with 674 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Before the season ended, he asked to be released from his contract when the season concluded and the team granted his wish.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings were looking for a reliable backup to starter Daunte Culpepper and brought Johnson back in 2005.
Through the first seven games of the year, Culpepper struggled as the Vikings’ offense wilted without Randy Moss, who had been traded to the Raiders before the season.
In 2005, the Vikings opened the season 2-5, with Randy Moss gone by trade & Daunte Culpepper shredding his knee in Charlotte. Brad Johnson came on in relief that day, led MIN to 6 straight wins & 7 of the last 9 to finish 9-7. Johnson was a godsend that year in his 2nd MIN stint pic.twitter.com/A22gad66tp
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) July 15, 2024
Culpepper then tore his PCL, MCL, and ACL against Carolina in Week 8, and Johnson took over.
He led the Vikings to a 7-2 finish and passed for 1,885 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Johnson also led the NFL with a 1.4 interception percentage.
One Last Ride in Texas
Before 2006, Minnesota let head coach Mike Tice go and hired former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress.
Although he was 38-years old, Johnson was named the starting QB, making him the oldest starting quarterback in the league that year.
MNF Season Opener in 2006. In his return to MIN, Brad Johnson leads the Viking offense, but Troy WILLIAMSON leads the Viking offense, and Chester Taylor adds 88 yards on 31 tough carries. Vikings tie it late, and WASH misses a game tying FG. Vikes win 19-16. pic.twitter.com/k5TBC1znw3
— VikeFans (@VikeFans) September 2, 2025
Unfortunately, it looked like Father Time had caught up with him as he passed for 2,750 yards, nine touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
The Vikings’ offense looked listless and limped to a 6-10 record.
During the following offseason, Minnesota decided to part ways with Johnson a second time and Childress handed the reins over to second-year QB Tarvaris Jackson.
In early March, the Dallas Cowboys signed Johnson to be the backup to Tony Romo.
🚨✭ Dallas Cowboys Trivia ✭🚨
🗣️ Filling in for Tony Romo this back-up Cowboys QB engineered a 38-35 OT upset win over Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.
A. Brad Johnson
B. Jon Kitna
C. Kyle Orton
D. Ryan Leaf pic.twitter.com/iNXpd0yLAR— The Cowboy Regg ✭ (@Irish_Cowboy88) December 26, 2024
As Romo led the team to a 13-3 record, Johnson mostly watched and wrapped the year with zero starts and 79 passing yards.
Then, in 2008, the now 40-year-old Johnson got three starts filling in for Romo and his broken pinkie finger.
Dallas went 1-2 during those starts while Johnson passed for 427 yards, two touchdowns and five picks.
Romo returned after the Cowboy’s Week 10 bye and started the rest of the year.
Retirement
When the Cowboys’ 9-7 season ended, so did Johnson’s career when Dallas cut him in February 2009.
During his 17-year career, Johnson passed for 29,054 yards, 166 touchdowns, and 122 interceptions.
Additionally, he ran for 657 yards and eight more scores.
Johnson was a two-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL twice in interception percentage, and won Super Bowl XXXVII with Tampa Bay.
Pop-A-Shot and Trick Shot Artist
After leaving the NFL, Johnson pivoted to coaching his sons, Jake and Max, who are currently playing tight end and quarterback, respectively, in college.
The former quarterback has since made a name for himself as a trick shot artist and even has a handle on TikTok, @bigbadbrad14.
Great story from @BrownieAthletic on former Vikings and Bucs QB Brad Johnson and the obsession that is Pop-a-Shot. 1700 shots a day! https://t.co/MGvkLVNcXF
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) August 1, 2025
Also, in a nod to his basketball days, Johnson (who will turn 58 in September) participates in Pop-A-Shot competitions and even competed in the national championship for the game in 2025.
“I’m an ’80s kind of guy — all the music and video games, and especially the arcade,” Johnson told The Athletic. “At every bowling alley, at every arcade, there was a Pop-A-Shot, and I’ve just always enjoyed it. Every sports bar, I found a challenge and tried to play somebody or tried to put up the high score.”
References
https://www.sports-reference.com
https://www.pro-football-reference.com
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