Las Vegas Raiders now have a sticky situation on their hands that could then cause a big roster problem that they didn’t have before
The Las Vegas Raiders traded for Taron Johnson this offseason to make him the starting nickel back in 2026.
The Las Vegas Raiders have been dealing with a bit of drama as OTAs are set to start up. So far, there hasn’t been much drama; every rookie has signed their contract, and players have done what they’ve been expected to do, for the most part.
However, Taron Johnson, the nickel Vegas traded for in the offseason, has yet to show up to any involuntary workouts. Usually, that’s not that big of a deal, as they are voluntary. However, now we know that Johnson isn’t, but for a reason that could bring trouble to the Raiders.
There have been rumblings that it’s because of a contract dispute. Others have said it’s just because it’s voluntary. According to Vinnie Bonsignore of the California Post, the new NB is in a contract dispute with the Raiders. The $18 million he’s on the books for in 2026 and 2027 is non-guaranteed. So, yes, he would likely want more security and guaranteed money, because that’s how it is in today’s league.
Raiders will desperately need Johnson solely because of the way the roster is built
Johnson is supposed to fill a need for the Raiders in the slot, and a desperate need at that. Their slot without him could likely be Greedy Vance, a UDFA. However, they also have safeties who can play in the slot.
Here’s where it stands: Decamerion Richardson, Greedy Vance, and rookies Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Masses—one likely misses the 53-man roster if only six are kept, which is common. Last year, Pete Carroll kept just five, complicating things, but that was a different staff. Assume this staff keeps six for now.
Taron Johnson’s stats in 2025 (8 games started)
- 57 tackles
- Four pass deflections
- One tackle for loss
Do they keep a backup nickel for Johnson, choosing Vance? He performed well as an undrafted free agent, playing 66 snaps, targeted seven times with only four catches allowed for 47 yards, and 94 intended air yards against. Or do Treydan Stukes and Dalton Johnson, rookie safeties, fill that backup nickel spot, opting for another boundary corner? Johnson has 441 career slot snaps in college. Doing that takes them away from being the center fielders the Raiders likely love them as in this scheme.
Although Isaiah Pola-Mao did play 102 slot snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. And, according to Sports Info Solutions, he was targeted five times while in the slot, allowed two catches for 12 yards, and had an interception. So, maybe he takes on that role.
Johnson’s 2026 base salary will be just around $8 million, with a cap hit of $8.6 million. This was a good move by the Raiders. Some say Johnson is declining, but if Vegas can bring something out of him with a change of scenery, this could be a huge win. But, it can’t be a win if he’s not on the field playing. It’s unlikely he would hold out for the entire season, as he would get fined and lose what could be a lot of money.