Former Auburn Tigers QB Jeremy Johnson just finished authoring a pro football dynasty playing abroad
Jeremy Johnson, the former Auburn Tigers quarterback, is firmly in the conversation to be the GOAT of Mexico’s pro football. Winning three championships in a four-year span certainly helps his case.
CHIHUAHUA, Mexico — This one meant more to Jeremy Johnson, for football and personal reasons alike.
In the hours leading up to the Tazón México (Mexico Bowl), the former Auburn Tigers quarterback wore a T-shirt with pictures of his family, including his mother Latasha Johnson, who passed away last year. The T-shirt read “We Love You.”
In a matter of hours, Johnson would play for something he’s grown very familiar to: History in Mexico’s pro football league, the LFA (Liga de Fútbol Americano). With a win, his Chihuahua Caudillos would become the first ever team to win three championships in a four-year span. A true dynasty.
He delivered.
Johnson authors first Mexican dynasty in pro football
On Sunday, the Caudillos beat the Monterrey Osos 24-12. It was their third championship since joining the LFA in 2023. With the win, Johnson also secured his third ring since he took over the Caudillos.
And though the championship game was more of a defensive showdown, Johnson is the favorite to be named MVP for the season later in the year. He led the LFA in passing yards, touchdowns, and passer rating.
Beyond the history, the championship run was the end of Johnson’s redemption tour. Last year, he didn’t join the Caudillos until late in the season. By that point, Chihuahua was already struggling and logistics problems kept Johnson from ever gaining any real chemistry with his wide receivers.
The Caudillos, which went undefeated in back-to-back seasons in 2023-2024, were eliminated in the semifinals. Following that loss, Johnson promised the Caudillos would be back.
Since the moment he showed up to Chihuahua in 2026, it was clear things were different. Johnson lost weight and got into much better shape than in 2025. He immediately took control of the locker room and reaffirmed his leadership on the team. The Caudillos led the most prolific offense in Mexico, earning the top seed in the league.
But none of it would have mattered without a win on Sunday. With it, Johnson rights what he viewed as a wrong last year. And it may be the perfect opportunity for him to say goodbye to his playing days.
Johnson to pursue coaching career
While Johnson hasn’t announced any official decision on his future yet, he’s flirted with retirement ever since 2023. Though he came back for more each year since then, it’s clear he plans to prioritize coaching over playing. Multiple times this year, he has suggested this was his last season quarterbacking
The main reason isn’t his age nor his play. It’s his desire to coach. In 2024, Johnson discussed his love for coaching with A to Z Sports.
“(Coaching) is my goal,” Johnson said. “That’s what I firmly believe in. I think I’m a great coach, man, I think I love coaching, more than I love playing, for sure, it is not even close because it’s more exciting watching and seeing someone that you tried to help and build and be better than what you were and to go out and see kids play and perform. That excited me more than going out there and throwing touchdowns and playing games.”
Earlier this year, Johnson accepted an offensive coordinator position in Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City. With the LFA expected to expand in teams next year, a longer schedule is projected in Mexico. That could cause conflict with his coaching career.
If it doesn’t, maybe the door remains ajar. But at this point, Johnson gets to make a decision on his own terms. He’s got three rings and an ultimate case to be the LFA’s GOAT.
His redemption tour is complete. Not that he really needed one.