Will Johnson‘s NFL start wasn’t picture-perfect—he slid from a projected top-10 pick to No. 47 overall due to injury red flags. But now? The Arizona Cardinals’ corner is all smiles. “Happy to be here, happy to work,” he said. Two weeks in, Johnson’s embracing the silver lining: a fresh start with a rising team under head coach Jonathan Gannon, coming off a big four-win leap. However, what’s next in store?

Well, the Cardinals are going all-in on a defensive revamp, aiming to snap their playoff drought since 2021. At the heart of that mission? 22-year-old Will Johnson. Arizona sees him as a key piece of the puzzle—and his moment starts Friday at rookie minicamp. “They’re clearly building to win,” said Johnson. Adding, “The offense has weapons, and now it’s time to stack the defense. We’ve just got to grind and prove we’re built for greatness.”

Now, Will Johnson made waves on May 10 with a fiery Instagram drop straight from the Cardinals’ rookie minicamp. The caption? Just two bold words: “Seeing Red 🩸.” However, the post featured a slick photo series capturing his early Arizona grind. While his iconic Michigan tattoo didn’t make an appearance, the message was loud and clear—college days may be behind him, but that same intensity is now locked in for the Cardinals. Johnson’s all in, and Arizona is taking notice.

Will Johnson’s latest post didn’t just grab fan attention—it got love from former Michigan teammates too. Freshman QB Alex Orji, known for his raw talent and rising profile, dropped a one-word comment that said it all: “Movie.” Meanwhile, standout corner Denzel Burke, who built a reputation at Michigan for his lockdown coverage, simply responded with a “🤞🏼” emoji—short but full of pride. It’s clear Johnson’s grind in Arizona is resonating back in Ann Arbor. To be honest, his dedication is turning heads, and the Michigan brotherhood is cheering him on every step of the way.

Will Johnson said, “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” —and he means it. The Cardinals’ newest CB is embracing his fresh start with full confidence. Though questions lingered during the draft about his injury history, Johnson is brushing off any doubt. He missed time at Michigan with turf toe and a hamstring strain that sidelined him from Pro Day, but it was a 2023 knee surgery that raised eyebrows. Still, he’s crystal clear now and put it best, saying, “It’s all good. Ready to go.”

However, he’s stepping into the perfect system. HC Jonathan Gannon—known for his fire and defensive brilliance—led the Eagles‘ secondary to a Super Bowl just 2 seasons ago. Now, he’s stacking the Cardinals’ DB room with elite talent. After selecting Garrett Williams in 2023 and Max Melton in 2024, Arizona made a bold move with Johnson. Honestly, with his skills, swagger, and clean bill of health, he’s out to prove he’s the steal of the draft.

But when the NFL Draft slide hit, this standout QB didn’t stay silent—he issued a firm warning to the league.

Will Johnson’s firm warning

Will Johnson wasn’t supposed to be a Day 2 name. Not after locking down elite receivers. Not after anchoring Michigan’s title run. Smart. Tough. NFL-ready. He was a first-round lock—until a flagged knee at the Combine flipped the script. Suddenly, the phones got quiet. Teams backed off. Some even scratched him off their boards.

But Arizona didn’t blink. They saw a dawg. So did Johnson. “They gon have to pay for this sh*t, I promise you. Arizona finna get a dawg,” he fired back post-pick. That wasn’t just heat-of-the-moment talk. It was a warning—straight to the front offices that doubted him. He remembers. And now, he’s ready to turn that slight into something legendary.

Look, what the Cardinals got isn’t just a CB with great tape—they got a dog with a chip on his shoulder. Will Johnson plays mean, in all the right ways. He’s sticky at the line, fearless in matchups, and loaded with that gritty, alpha energy you can’t teach. Yes, the knee needs watching. But Arizona didn’t see a red flag—they saw first-round talent wrapped in second-round fire. If Johnson stays healthy, this won’t just be a good pick—it might go down as the draft’s biggest steal.