Trumaine Johnson Does Not Sign Long-Term Rams Contract, to Play on Franchise Tag

The Los Angeles Rams failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract with cornerback Trumaine Johnson, meaning the 27-year-old will play the 2017 season under the franchise tag, SiriusXM NFL Radio reported Monday.

According to Spotrac, Johnson will earn a little over $16.7 million.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported in June the Rams were unlikely to sign an extension with Johnson.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio spoke to a source who said Johnson had more to gain from signing the one-year franchise tender than working out a new deal with Los Angeles this offseason.

Between 2016 and 2017, Johnson will have averaged a little over $15.3 million in annual salary—$30.672 million in total. To put that into perspective, Josh Norman earns the highest average salary for a cornerback ($15 million) on a non-tender contract, per Spotrac.

Not only does Johnson get rich in the short term, Florio noted he's also all but guaranteed to become an unrestricted free agent in 2018. Were the Rams to use the franchise tag on him for a third year, he'd either receive $24.1 million—a 44 percent raise on his 2017 salary—or the quarterback franchise tender, whichever of the two is greater.

As one of the best cornerbacks set to hit the 2018 free-agent market, Johnson will be in line to receive a lucrative extension next spring as long as he plays well in 2017.