XFL Blocks Lions From Signing QB Josh Johnson

According to Adam Schefter, the Lions tried to sign QB Josh Johnson but were blocked by the XFL. 

Johnson was signed by the XFL last week to be the starting quarterback for the league’s Los Angeles Wildcats franchise. While most players were selected in a draft, the XFL picked starting quarterbacks for each of the league’s eight franchises. 

Though the standard base salry for other positions is $27,000, the XFL will pay certain quarterbacks up to $500,000 annually, which allows them to compete with players on NFL practice squads. 

Detroit has discussed shutting down starting QB Matthew Stafford and Johnson’s familiarity with the team after spending part of the preseason in Detroit made him an attractive backup option. However, they’ll now have to look elsewhere. 

Johnson, 33, is a former fifth-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2012. Since then, Johnson has played for a number of teams including the 49ers, Browns, Bengals, Chargers, Jets, Colts, Bills, Ravens, Giants, Texans and Raiders.

Johnson was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football before signing on with the Redskins last December. He signed with the Lions during training camp this year but was released in September.

In 2018, Johnson appeared in four games for the Redskins and completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 590 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown.