Rams safety John Johnson wants the first interception at SoFi Stadium

LA Rams free safety John Johnson is healthy again and it’s fair to assume he’s anxious to play in a real game. That won’t come until September 13th against the Dallas Cowboys, the first ever event at the new $5 billion SoFi Stadium, and Johnson already knows he wants an interception that day. Specifically, Johnson wants the first-ever pick at SoFi Stadium.

Which we could see as he toured the new home digs and checked out the massive Oculus video board that sits above the field. “I bet you I get the first pick in here,” says Johnson, repeating himself.

“Bet.”

Johnson, who last played on Oct. 13, 2019 against the San Francisco 49ers before going on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, will most likely get his first home pick opportunity against Dak Prescott. The Cowboys QB had 11 interceptions last season, but had only five in his last 11 games. Prescott did throw a crucial interception against the Rams in a 35-30 loss back in 2017; Mark Barron picked him off in the fourth quarter, then intercepted Prescott again on a two-point conversion attempt, though it was called back for defensive holding on Kayvon Webster.

Johnson intercepted two passes in only six games last season, one off of Drew Brees and the other off of Baker Mayfield. In 2018, Johnson picked off Derek Carr, Case Keenum, C.J. Beathard, and Mitch Trubisky. Then in the NFC Championship game, he picked off Brees, this time in overtime to setup the Rams for a 26-23 win to send them to the Super Bowl.

If Johnson doesn’t get an interception in Week 1, his next home opportunity won’t come until Oct. 4 against the New York Giants, then October 26 against the Chicago Bears. The Rams only have three home games between the start of the season and their Week 9 bye.