D.J. Johnson took a winding route to professional football, developing from a college quarterback into a defensive end at the University of Miami. That position change gave him a different foundation from many pass rushers, but his athletic background also offered tools for playing in space and reacting to offensive movement. The transition demanded patience as he learned the technical side of rushing NFL-caliber blockers.

The Carolina Panthers selected Johnson in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His early NFL years were spent learning how to convert physical potential into consistent production against stronger, more experienced offensive linemen. A new opportunity with Washington gives him another chance to compete for snaps and demonstrate his value in a defensive rotation.

The D.J. Johnson Jersey is for Commanders fans who follow the players still working to define their place in the league. Defensive line development rarely happens overnight; hand technique, leverage, and timing can take seasons to refine. Johnson’s next chapter will depend on turning those incremental gains into plays that change a drive.