The Las Vegas Raiders only traded for cornerback Taron Johnson in March but already, one of the team’s biggest offseason signings is in a holdout.
The Raiders brought Johnson in as part of a trade with the Buffalo Bills where the two teams also swapped sixth and seventh round picks as part of the deal.
But now, the Raiders and Johnson need to discuss the player’s contract before he’s on the practice field and he has been absent from voluntary workouts to make a point that he wants things to change.
According to a report in The California Post, Johnson’s absence stems from a wish to improve the terms of his guaranteed pay before the hard work begins in building up to 2026.
The 29-year-old allegedly wants more money to be promised for the future – the Post says that up to $18million that he is owed in the coming two years is not guaranteed as things stand.
If he can come to an agreement with the Raiders over how much of that he can bank on seeing, the impasse will be over.
Taron Johnson, a new addition at Las Vegas Raiders, wants to rework his contract
For now, camp is voluntary but mandatory minicamp starts for the Raiders on June 6 and the organization will be keen for the situation to be solved by then.
Johnson is unquestionably an upgrade for the Raiders in a problem position they couldn’t find a solution to in 2025 under the guidance of Pete Carroll.
After going 3-14 in 2025, the Raiders have overseen an offseason rebuild under the guidance of minority owner and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady.
Until then, he is staying away from team workouts – causing a headache for Tom Brady’s team
Carroll has been replaced as head coach by Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks last season.
And on the roster, Johnson has been one of many players to come through the door. Former Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum was one of several free agent additions, alongside the likes of Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean.
The chose quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft last month and also brought in Kirk Cousins to help the rookie adapt to the league.
The Raiders start the season on September 13 at home against Miami Dolphins.
