According to multiple media reports, former Bucs quarterback Josh Johnson is going to visit Redskins Park today.
Actually, the free agent will probably arrive at the team facility this evening and will catch up with Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan and company after they get back from attending Baylor’s pro day in Texas. The player who will be the focal point there, of course, is quarterback Robert Griffin III, expected to be the Redskins’ top draft pick and the team’s starting quarterback.
The Redskins’ interest in Johnson could stem from a few different sources. He is a similar quarterback to Griffin in that he is mobile and athletic. If Johnson was the backup the team wouldn’t have to adjust much in terms of protection and play calling if he had to come in.
You don’t have to go very far to connect the dots from Johnson to the Redskins. Tampa Bay drafted him in the fifth round in 2008. The Bucs’ general manager at the time was Bruce Allen. Raheem Morris, now the Redskins' secondary coach, was the head coach in Tampa Bay from 2009-2011.
The Redskins had some interest in Johnson that year as well. J. I. Halsell, who worked in the team’s front office as a salary cap analyst at the time, tweeted “Remember Skins being high on Johnson in draft when I was there. Taken by Bruce Allen/Bucs in 5th; we took Brennan in 6th.”
While most of the upper-level positions in the player personnel department have changed hands since that draft, a number of others remain.
In four years with the Bucs, Johnson started five games. He completed 96 of 177 passes (54.2 percent) for 1,042 yards with five touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
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