Full Steam Ahead: Seahawks' Cade Johnson Ready to Push For Roster Spot

Targeted twice with no catches against the New York Jets in Week 17, Johnson emerged as an unlikely contributor in Seattle's playoff-clinching season finale victory against the Los Angeles Rams. He made his first career reception in the second quarter, turning a seven-yard hitch into an 11-yard gain and a new set of downs. Late in the fourth quarter, he moved the chains again on a 10-yard catch from Smith to start what looked like a game-winning drive, only for kicker Jason Myers to hit the right crossbar on a 46-yard field goal attempt moments later.

It was a truly special moment for Johnson, who not only registered his first career receptions, but did so snagging passes from the resurgent Smith, who wound up throwing 30 touchdown passes, making the Pro Bowl, and winning Comeback Player of the Year. Only a year after they were stuck on the scout team, two players who had been counted out, albeit for different reasons, connected on the biggest stage with everything on the line.

"People don't realize Geno was not your typical scout team quarterback. So it was so cool to see him transform," Johnson smiled. "Just being able to catch balls from him last year, it was one of a kind because I mean, we just had that built for my rookie year. He's been a great mentor of mine and I appreciate that."

While neither of Johnson's catches led to points, Smith's willingness to throw his direction in critical situations showed his faith and trust in the young receiver. One week later, in the heat of a wild card playoff contest against the 49ers, Johnson came through with three catches for 39 yards on three targets in a 41-32 loss, demonstrating his reliability once again in defeat.

"It was a great experience and my family came and they kind of prepped me for it like the week before, like I was playing against the Jets," Johnson recalled. "My role just kept carrying over to the next week and they told me they believed in me and my abilities and so it was an amazing experience. I felt really comfortable out there. And once it started, the whole thing kept going. The stage wasn't too big for me or anything."

On the heels of his two breakthrough performances, the Seahawks re-signed Johnson to a reserve/future deal in January. After a quick recovery from a patellar tendon injury that was bothering him late in the season, he got back to work with his trainer in Omaha, excited for the opportunity to continue improving and build off of the strong finish to his second season.

Upon his arrival to his third training camp, Johnson faces increased competition for a roster spot, as Seattle invested a first-round pick in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, re-signed veteran Cody Thompson, and signed a pair of intriguing undrafted wideouts in Matt Landers and Jake Bobo. With Eskridge and Dareke Young also returning for their third and second seasons respectively, the team has as talented and deep of a receiving corps as any team in the NFL.

But after proving what he could do when given the chance in high-stakes contests last January, Johnson remains confident in his ability to earn a spot on Seattle's final roster. Adopting the mindset he learned watching Smith and only concerning himself with what he can control between the lines, he's banking on his refined route running, chemistry with the quarterback, and special teams capabilities to help him get over the hump and avoid another practice squad designation this time around.

"I just want to come and show I'm a consistent player and just work every day. I know with the league and the numbers game and all that stuff, I feel confident in my abilities and what Seattle has for me. I'm going into year three here, and just just to be here, coming out as an undrafted rookie and battling injuries when I first came in and stuff like that, I really just want to like be able to make an impact on special teams and offense. I'm really looking forward to this preseason and just keeping like a full head of steam and just going up."