Ex-Browns DB Mocks His Former Team After Rams Win

As the adage goes, spoils belong to the victor.

This was confirmed after the Rams defeated the Browns 36-19, and safety John Johnson III made sure to use all of his newly acquired bragging rights against his old team.

With 6:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles’ Johnson III came up with one of the greatest plays of the game, intercepting Browns quarterback Joe Flacco and giving his team excellent field position at Cleveland’s 42. With the Rams holding a one-point lead (20-19), the game was still very much up for grabs at that point.

After the stunning play by the former Brown, the momentum shifted back to the Los Angeles team. Five plays later, Matthew Stafford found outstanding wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a score, increasing their advantage to eight points.

After then, the Rams blew Cleveland away with nine more points in the last 2:30 of regulation. It was an avalanche.

Johnson III used X to taunt his old team following the game.

When you consider his post-game remarks, it’s evident that Johnson III was feeling particularly motivated for this match.

In reference to the post, Johnson said to Cleveland.com postgame, “Just one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” “It was more of a mutual thing, I don’t think they saw me (as garbage), but I was expected to be there. I was given three years. I thus felt like I had a bit extra drive when playing them.

Following four seasons with the Rams, Johnson III signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Browns back in 2021. The 27-year-old didn’t seem to mesh well with then-defensive coordinator Joe Woods’ scheme during his two seasons in Cleveland.

Following a season in 2022 blighted by the defense’s tendency to allow big plays, general manager Andrew Berry made the decision to cut ties with Johnson III. The Boston College product found a home with the Rams, where his career started, after becoming a free agent. Because of Johnson III, Cleveland was obligated to pay $3.75 million in dead cap fees this season.

Johnson III did make it clear that their split this past offseason was mutual and that there was no animosity toward the Browns organization.

Nevertheless, Browns supporters would have much rather left Los Angeles without having one of their team’s outcasts ruin a crucial play in their favor.