As Johnson approaches the last year of his current contract in 2024, he will earn increased contractual security in exchange for what is anticipated to be an instant reprieve from cap pressure for the Bills, rather than playing out the remainder of his contract. The amount of relief Buffalo will receive from this deal is still unknown, but given that the six-year veteran cost the team $12.4 million in cap space during his previous contract, it is reasonable to assume that amount will drop under the new arrangement, which allows the Bills to defer part of his cap hit to later seasons.

With a contract worth $31 million, Johnson surpasses Colts cornerback Kenny Moore to become the highest-paid nickel in the NFL. Moore is only one million less than the experienced Bills player. According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson had the greatest season of his career overall (77.5), ranking him one position ahead of Moore and 17th overall among cornerbacks. This performance earned him an extension.

A year before Johnson would be allowed to follow Poyer out of town, the Bills wisely signed Johnson, who Buffalo was watching this month as he walked to Miami, an AFC East opponent. We’ll see if there’s going to be another move.