NFL: Trumaine Johnson likely to play under franchise tag

One of the cornerbacks in the NFL won’t have a long-term contract this season

Trumaine Johnson and the Los Angeles Rams have failed to agree on a contract extension, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

It’s likely the 27-year-old will play under the franchise tag for a second consecutive year for Los Angeles after converting a career-low one interception in 2016.

Johnson’s second year on the tag will pay him $16.742 million for 2017, and make him eligible for one more year under the tag. Last season Johnson earned $13.952 million in his first season playing under the franchise tag.

NFL teams can tag a player up to three times to keep them under contract with incremental pay raises for each time the tag is implemented.

It sounds as if both sides with to find common ground on a new deal, but remain too far apart on any agreement.

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Johnson is one of three players designated to play under the franchise tag that has not signed a long-term deal. Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell each have not signed long-term deals since being tagged.

Los Angeles drafted Johnson with the 65th overall pick in 2012’s NFL Draft out of Montana. Since being drafted, Johnson has led the team with 16 interceptions.

At 27-years-old Johnson is second in Rams history with 54 pass deflections, just three behind Ron Bartell.

Lacking assets going into the NFL Draft this year, Los Angeles failed to draft a potential replacement for Johnson at cornerback. Undrafted free agents Dominique Hatfield and Aarion Penton are the only rookie cornerbacks on Los Angeles’ roster heading towards training camp.