Las Vegas Raiders
· 2026-06-29
The Las Vegas Raiders have signed receiver Brandon Johnson, a 27-year-old who spent time on the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad last year.
The signing comes after Corey Rucker was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
Johnson had one catch for nine yards in three games for the Steelers in 2024.
The Raiders are currently 11th in the National Football Conference with an 8-9 record, on a W4 streak, and are looking to rebuild their roster.
New coach Klint Kubiak is still trying to sort things out, and Johnson's signing is a step in that direction.
The Raiders will face the Miami Dolphins on September 13, 2026, and are hoping to have a better year with running back Ashton Jeanty and tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer.
Johnson's most productive season was with the Denver Broncos, where he caught 25 passes for 326 yards and five touchdowns.
The Raiders are also waiting to see how newly-signed veteran Kirk Cousins will perform as the Week 1 starter, with number one draft pick Fernando Mendoza waiting in the wings.
And with the receiving room in flux, Johnson's signing could be an opportunity for him to make an impact.
The Raiders signed Jalen Nailor in free agency, and Tre Tucker, who is just 25, will be working with his fourth coach in four years.
So the team is looking for stability and consistency, and Johnson's signing is a step towards achieving that goal.
But the question remains whether the Raiders will go out and get a true number one receiver, which they currently lack.
The team is hoping Kubiak can end the chaos and the endless roster churn, and build a successful offense around his players.
With the new season approaching, the Raiders are looking to make a statement and improve their standing in the National Football Conference.