Steelers A to Z: Newcomer to roster, Quindell Johnson trying to catch on in secondary

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

S QUINDELL JOHNSON

Experience/age: Second year, turns 26 in November

Contract status: $960,000 cap hit in 2025 if he makes the team, will be an exclusive rights free agent in 2026.

The past: A 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety, Johnson is credited as a second-year player by NFL standards although his only game experience is a nine-game stint with the Chicago Bears in 2023.

After going undrafted in 2023, Johnson was signed by the Los Angeles Rams that spring. He did not make the roster in training camp and was claimed off waivers by the Bears. A highlight came in his second game when he intercepted a pass thrown by Kansas City Chiefs backup Blaine Gabbert in the fourth quarter. It set up the Bears’ only touchdown in a 41-10 loss. Johnson played only 35 defensive snaps for the Bears and was inactive for the final seven games of the season.

After being cut in the 2024 preseason, Johnson re-signed with the Rams and was added to the practice squad, where he spent the season. San Francisco signed Johnson to a reserve/futures contract in January but released him in May.

Johnson played in college at Memphis, where he had 10 interceptions over 49 games spanning four seasons.

First NFL INT for Quindell Johnson

????: #CHIvsKC on FOX pic.twitter.com/HL1f47iJ52

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 24, 2023

2025 outlook: The Steelers added Johnson to the offseason roster June 4, asking him to join coach Mike Tomlin’s proverbial moving train amid spring workouts. He replaced defensive back Joshua Bledsoe on the 90-man roster.

Johnson will try to find a role behind starters Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott, top backup Juan Thornhill and special teams captain Miles Killebrew. Johnson’s best bet is to impress enough to earn a spot on the practice squad or do enough on special teams to force his way onto the 53-man roster.