Bond Between Kyler Murray, New Cardinals OL Paris Johnson Jr. Already Strong
TEMPE -- For new Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr., playing for the organization was something that was written in the stars.
When Johnson spoke with reporters shortly after the Cardinals took him with the No. 6 pick, he referenced numerous times that he believed destiny led him to play for Arizona.
"You could really ask my mom or anybody in that area. After the first two picks I was chilling, as soon as the Cardinals were on the clock, I was staring at my phone the entire freaking time. I was locked in from that moment," he said.
"I told everybody before, we were doing the red carpet that, not the media, but I told my family like, “I feel like I'm going to be a Cardinal today. If I'm not, I'm going to be a little sad.”
Johnson is merely following in the footsteps of his father, Paris Johnson Sr., who was drafted by the Cardinals himself back in 1999.
Some would say the universe wanted Johnson in Arizona. That's a philosophical debate that can be held at another time, but there's no doubting franchise quarterback Kyler Murray wanted Johnson on his team.
Reports surfaced prior to the draft that Murray made it known to the organization that he wanted Johnson blocking for him moving forward, and the Cardinals indeed made that happen after wheeling and dealing through multiple picks before settling at No. 6.
General manager Monti Ossenfort chuckled at the suggestion.
“You know, somebody told me that. We have got to get Kyler on the scouting staff. Maybe we can start sending him out on the road to look at some guys. I didn’t know that. Somebody told me that this was Kyler’s pick. I don’t know if he knows Paris. I think they bumped into each other when Paris was here on the 30 visit. So yeah, Kyler’s a fan. That’s good," said Ossenfort.
Before Johnson spoke with reporters at his introductory press conference, the two were able to officially meet the first time as teammates:
When Johnson finally got in front of reporters, he said the endorsement from Murray was big in getting him to he desert.
"That's huge. I don't take him wanting me to come here for granted. On my top 30 visit. I got some food here, walking through this hallway and I look around the corner. I see him, I give him a head and trying to act all cool. I'm not trying to act like a fanboy," said Johnson.
"I'm like, 'Bro what's good.' And then he's like, 'Hey P, come here!' So I'm walking over, I'm texting my teammate Luke Wypler, I'm like 'Dude Kyler Murray knows who I am." I'm acting all cool, and he's like 'Yo what's up Paris, I've seen you play, I've seen your Pro Day. I've seen all this. I love what I see, I see how hard you play. The tenacity, the finish. I would love for you to block for me.'
"I think just coming from a franchise guy. He said it before I had a chance to say I'd be honored to play for him. He said it first. It came out of his mouth first and that's huge. Like that's an honor and I respect that."
Johnson is a fairly versatile player along the offensive line, logging snaps at both guard and tackle during his two years as a starter with Ohio State. He's also used to blocking for mobile quarterbacks, having previously played with Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud:
"I would say the play style between the C.J. [Stroud] and K1 is different, but I would say again, they're both elite quarterbacks, and my freshman year I did have time to play with Justin Fields. I would say his game reflects the qualities that Kyler has," Johnson said.
"I think playing with two guys who are elite guys at quarterback and then to come here with another guy who's already established - He has the ability to stay in a pocket to make crazy throws but he has ability to extend plays unlike any other quarterback in the league. That transition from going from two elite quarterbacks with different playstyles to having somebody with a blend of both, with great speed and athleticism. I mean, that's what you want as an offensive lineman, you know what I mean? So I'm hype."
Where Johnson lines up sill remains a mystery. The Cardinals already have their tackle spots in 2023 secured with D.J. Humphries and Kelvin Beachum under contract, though there is an opening at left guard or perhaps event center for Johnson to fill.
"I want to play. That is all I want to do. I expressed to Mr. Monti [Ossenfort] if I got to play free safety, I will play free safety," Johnson responded when asked where he wanted to play.
"I am here to help the team win. You know, it's all about the team. Right? When a team wins, every individual person wins. So whether I'm at guard, whether whether I'm at tackle on the right or the left side, it doesn't matter. If they teach me how to snap, you get a 6'6" center - I'm gonna rock out at it. It doesn't really matter."
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