The Las Vegas Raiders were looking to improve their defense after a disappointing 3-14 season, which saw the team fire head coach Pete Carroll after just one season. Well, the Raiders have made a trade that they hope will help their cornerback spot.
The Las Vegas Raiders Acquire All-Pro CB From the Buffalo Bills In Trade
On Sunday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on X that the Raiders have acquired cornerback Taron Johnson from the Buffalo Bills.
“Trade: The #Raidres are trading for #Bills veteran CB Taron Johnson, sources say,” Rapoport wrote. “It’s a 6/7 pick swap. Johnson was announced as a release, but not officially on the wire yet. Las Vegas pounces.”
It should be noted that the Bills were planning to release Johnson due to salary-cap constraints. That’s why Buffalo got so little in return from the Raiders. Johnson earned second-team All-Pro recognition in the 2023 NFL season.
According to the PFSN NFL Defense Impact metrics, which are measured through the regular season, the Raiders’ defense had an impact score of 85.5 and graded out to a B. Johnson, according to the PFSN NFL CB Impact metrics, had an impact score of 70.7 and graded out to a C-.
Trade: The #Raiders are trading for #Bills veteran CB Taron Johnson, sources say. It’s a 6/7 pick swap.
Johnson was announced as a release, but not officially on the wire yet. Las Vegas pounces. pic.twitter.com/B0oY28Uebp
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2026
Johnson played in 13 games for the Bills last season and had 3 pass breakups. He’s played all eight of his NFL seasons with Buffalo, but he’ll now go play in the Raiders’ secondary for new Las Vegas head coach Klint Kubiak. Johnson also played at defensive back and linebacker during his time with the Bills.
What is Johnson’s contract status at this point? According to Spotrac, “Taron Johnson signed a 3-year, $30,750,000 contract with the Buffalo Bills, including $7,250,000 signing bonus, $17,825,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $10,250,000.
“In 2026, Johnson will earn a base salary of $8,100,000 and a workout bonus of $150,000, while carrying a cap hit of $8,670,000,” according to Spotrac’s data.
Johnson was a fourth-round draft pick out of Weber State by the Bills in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s represented by Jason Chayut of SportStars.
When the Raiders get their defense together before next season, they’re going to look different than they did in the 2025 NFL season.
Kubiak probably has his own ideas on what he wants to see on the defensive side of the ball. Johnson is a veteran who could come in and help young players learn to play cornerback.
