The Buffalo Bills have signed defensive tackle Austin Johnson to a one-year contract, the team announced Thursday.
Johnson, who was drafted in 2016 by the Tennessee Titans, started 17 games for the Los Angeles Chargers last season in his second season in L.A. He finished with 46 total tackles and a forced fumble.
"The person that I've heard about is to me what's desirable to start off with, the type of person that he is, the type of professional he is," said head coach Sean McDermott, who said he did not get a chance to meet Jones when he visited the facility.
Johnson will reunite with former Penn State and Titans teammate DaQuan Jones, who posted about his excitement of Johnson's arrival.
The former second-round pick has eight career sacks and has played both on the interior and exterior of the defensive line. General manager Brandon Beane said that he thinks Johnson could have a similar breakthrough season as Jones did in his first year in Buffalo.
"I think even DaQuan, you've seen in our system improve his pass rush, and we do think Austin can kind of follow that same trajectory," Beane said. "Brought him in for a visit. Great young man. You know, he talked about the importance of a winning culture, winning team, and obviously DaQuan was helping sell, you know, our situation."
Johnson was raised in New Jersey and started alongside Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones at Penn State.
