Johnson should be a vital part to the New Orleans under Kellen Moore
Today marks 83 days before the 2025 regular season opener for the New Orleans Saints. They’ll start their 59th season at home against the Arizona Cardinals in hopes of improving on a 5-12 record from last year. Wearing number 83 for the Saints is tight end Juwan Johnson. He’ll be entering his sixth NFL season, all with New Orleans. Johnson is the 18th player to wear No. 83 for the Saints in a regular season game, with nobody in franchise history wearing the number longer. As our Saints Player of the Day, we’ve taken a closer look at Johnson’s background and career so far.
Name (age): Juwan Johnson (28)Hometown: Glassboro, N.J.Position: Tight endHeight, weight: 6-foot-4, 231 poundsCollege: Oregon DucksRelative Athletic Score: 7.79Drafted: Undrafted, 2020 (New Orleans Saints)NFL experience: 5 years2025 salary cap hit: $5,245,000
Out of Glassboro High School in New Jersey, Johnson initially attended Penn State as a wide receiver. He’d see little action for the Nittany Lions as a freshman in 2016, catching just two passes but gaining 70 yards. Johnson was a much bigger part of the Penn State attack in 2017, pulling in 54 receptions for 701 yards. His production diminished the following year with 25 catches and 352 yards over 10 games of action. Following the 2018 campaign, Johnson transferred to Oregon. In his one year with the Ducks, Johnson pulled in 30 passes for 467 yards and 4 scores over 10 games.
Undrafted in 2020, Johnson was signed by New Orleans. He started his rookie season on the practice squad as a wide receiver but saw seven games of action and made four starts down the stretch of the year, making 4 catches for 39 yards. Johnson saw more action in 2021, playing in 14 contests and catching 13 passes for 159 yards and 4 touchdowns. Twelve of his 13 receptions would result in a first down or score.
A wide receiver throughout college and the NFL, Johnson made a position switch to tight end during 2022 training camp. The change resulted in making 12 starts over 16 game appearances while playing 65% of the offensive snaps. Johnson had 42 receptions for 508 yards with the increased playing time. His 7 touchdown catches led the team and were third-most among all NFL tight ends. In 2023, Johnson missed some time (4 games) with injuries. He still managed 37 catches for 368 yards and 4 scores.
The 2024 season saw Johnson playing in all 17 outings. He made just five official starts, but played in a career-best 697 offensive snaps. Johnson had 50 receptions for 548 yards, both the highest of his career, while catching 3 touchdowns. He led the Saints in receiving yardage and finished second behind Alvin Kamara in catches. This offseason, the Saints re-signed Johnson to a three-year contract extension that included guaranteed money of over $21 million.
Juwan Johnson is expected to be a huge part of the Saints offense under new head coach Kellen Moore. His size gives him the advantage over many defensive backs, while his athleticism provides a mismatch for most linebackers. In only his fourth year as a tight end, Johnson’s continued development at the position is expected to be a key for the New Orleans offense.