TEMPE — There were two words to describe Arizona Cardinals left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. during the start of offseason programs.
The first was “hyped.”
The second word? Hungry.
Johnson’s second year as an NFL pro didn’t 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.
Now “good to go completely,” Johnson is looking to build on his upward trajectory.
RELATED STORIES
Just how unlikely was Will Johnson's 2nd-round fall to Cardinals?
Is the door shut on Will Hernandez, Kyzir White re-signing with Cardinals?
Cardinals rebuild has reached the point of playoff expectations
Is the door shut on Will Hernandez, Kyzir White re-signing with Cardinals?
Cardinals rebuild has reached the point of playoff expectations
“I’m hyped. I think this offseason for me, especially with being hurt, felt longer than usual than it should be,” Johnson said. “So just having that itch to get back to work, to be back in the building with the guys, I’m very excited.”
And given how things are shaping up, there’s reasons to believe Johnson wanting to be the “best version” of himself is far from lip service.
Paris Johnson Jr. is cemented at left tackle
Johnson has the versatility to play either tackle spots, as seen across the past two years.
It’s among the many reasons the Cardinals took him at No. 6 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
This year, though, he’s not moving anywhere. Johnson is solidified at left tackle.
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
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) April 22, 2025
“I mean, honestly, to be the same position two years in a row, I’ve not done that since high school. I’m excited for that,” Johnson said. “I’m trying to show the world that it’s 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’s time to show it.”
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.
At one of the highest-profiled positions along the line that also gets some of the best pass-rushing competition, that’s saying something.
That Ohio State connection
Johnson played well under former offensive line coach Klayton Adams.
His replacement in Arizona? Former Ohio State OL coach Justin Frye, who left a lasting impact on Johnson and his process.
“I think it’s the best kind of thing for me in terms of the stuff that I love to do the most is the stuff that he’s going to preach and teach,” Johnson said. “Personally, I’m hype, because I’m already know everything he’s 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.”
“He loves to talk about hands, feet, the spot, the technique. I feel like that’s why he kind of helped me get here in the first place,” the lineman added. “It’s not just about what the result is. He cares about the entire process being clean. That’s what I love about him.”
The hunger for more
Another part of Johnson’s evolution?
Improving his consistency as a leader throughout the locker room and not putting his “mic on mute.”
“To be back in the building to work not only on myself individually but as a leader on a team, that’s something I’m 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.
“I’m more of a O-line communicator across the board … specifically on Sundays. I’ve just kind of always been that way. But I’m 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’m starting to do a lot more talking. I think all that starts with just the consistency on the field.”
Follow @Tdrake4sports
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Why Cardinals’ Paris Johnson Jr. can be ‘best version’ of himself in 2025 )
Also on site :