{"id":20832,"date":"2025-05-03T15:10:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-03T15:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/20832\/"},"modified":"2025-05-03T15:10:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-03T15:10:11","slug":"why-paris-johnson-jr-can-be-best-version-of-himself-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/20832\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Paris Johnson Jr. can be best version of himself in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

TEMPE \u2014 There were two words to describe Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. during the start of offseason programs.<\/p>\n

The first was \u201chyped.\u201d<\/p>\n

The second word? Hungry.<\/p>\n

Johnson\u2019s second year as an NFL pro didn\u2019t end the way he wanted due to a knee injury against the New England Patriots late in the season. He missed the final three games of 2024 and finished the season on injured reserve.<\/p>\n

Now \u201cgood to go completely,\u201d Johnson is looking to build on his upward trajectory.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hyped. I think this offseason for me, especially with being hurt, felt longer than usual than it should be,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cSo just having that itch to get back to work, to be back in the building with the guys, I\u2019m very excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

And given how things are shaping up, there\u2019s reasons to believe Johnson wanting to be the \u201cbest version\u201d of himself is far from lip service.<\/p>\n

Paris Johnson Jr. is cemented at left tackle<\/p>\n

Johnson has the versatility to play either tackle spots, as seen across the past two years.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s among the many reasons the Cardinals took him at No. 6 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n

This year, though, he\u2019s not moving anywhere. Johnson is solidified at left tackle<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Arizona Cardinals LT Paris Johnson Jr. is ready to make the jump to be the best version of himself (which is being one of the best tackles in the game). pic.twitter.com\/Dbr7b1Tg5z<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, honestly, to be the same position two years in a row, I\u2019ve not done that since high school. I\u2019m excited for that,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cI\u2019m trying to show the world that it\u2019s time for me to make the jump to be the best version of myself. And I believe the best version of myself is one of the best tackles in the game. Now, it\u2019s time to show it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the shortened season due to the knee issue, Johnson still graded out better across the board in pass-blocking (64.2 in 2023 to 78.1 in 2024) and run-blocking (55.1 to 73.8). He also saw fewer penalties (12 to five), according to Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n

At one of the highest-profiled positions along the line that also gets some of the best pass-rushing competition, that\u2019s saying something.<\/p>\n

That Ohio State connection<\/p>\n

Johnson played well under former offensive line coach Klayton Adams.<\/p>\n

His replacement in Arizona? Former Ohio State OL coach Justin Frye, who left a lasting impact on Johnson and his process.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s the best kind of thing for me in terms of the stuff that I love to do the most is the stuff that he\u2019s going to preach and teach,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cPersonally, I\u2019m hype, because I\u2019m already know everything he\u2019s talking about and I love it. I know that as soon as I get back into that groove, the transition is going to be so easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe loves to talk about hands, feet, the spot, the technique. I feel like that\u2019s why he kind of helped me get here in the first place,\u201d the lineman added. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about what the result is. He cares about the entire process being clean. That\u2019s what I love about him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The hunger for more<\/p>\n

Another part of Johnson\u2019s evolution?<\/p>\n

Improving his consistency as a leader throughout the locker room and not putting his \u201cmic on mute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be back in the building<\/a> to work not only on myself individually but as a leader on a team, that\u2019s something I\u2019m also trying to work forward to. Not just trying to show it through my actions but through trying to talk, to rally the team and stuff like that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m more of a O-line communicator across the board \u2026 specifically on Sundays. I\u2019ve just kind of always been that way. But I\u2019m trying to step out of my comfort zone to be in meetings and to do more talking, to be on the practice field and I\u2019m starting to do a lot more talking. I think all that starts with just the consistency on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

Follow @Tdrake4sports<\/a><\/p>\n

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