As the Kansas City Chiefs continued their rookie minicamp on Saturday, we got our first chance to see fifth-round pick, former Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson on the field in a Chiefs uniform.
Although these are unpadded practices, head coach Andy Reid has seen enough to have a good, initial impression of the newcomer.
“Smart kid, good kid, and he’s got that lateral quickness,” said Reid, before comparing Johnson to another former player he used to coach. “I mean, we had LeSean McCoy here for a bit, and he’s got a little bit of that to him, where he can shift gears and still get himself upfield quickly.”
Reid went on to praise Johnson as a pass blocker and describe him as a natural pass catcher. It’s something the rookie back takes pride in, as he talked about during his press conference on Saturday.
“I can receive really well,” Johnson began. “That can help the offense. So, just having the ability to not just run the ball, but also catch and affect the game that way is something that I look forward to.”
Like all rookies, Johnson knows that job number one is to buckle down and learn the playbook.
“I do a great job of studying,” Johnson confidently shared. “I’m playing the NFL. I have no excuse for not knowing my assignment on the football field. So I take big pride in understanding what I have to do on the field to be successful.”
Johnson had a bit of a leg up on other players in his situation — he played for former NFL head coach Matt Rhule at Nebraska, and Johnson said that Rhule running the Cornhuskers’ football team like an NFL program helped prepare him for the last couple of days.
“The structure in college at Nebraska… showing up to meetings on time, being here early, being a pro is what coach Rhule says,” Johnson reflected.
But Johnson’s motivation also goes beyond what he learned at Nebraska. He gets it from his parents, who fled Liberia during a civil war to relocate to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Johnson was born.
“Their story immigrating from Liberia… [it] just makes me want to wake up and go extremely hard for them,” Johnson stated. “They’re really proud of me, but at the end of the day, I’m in the NFL, but this is ground zero… I haven’t done anything yet, I’m just trying to work and earn the respect of my teammates and coaches right now.”
One of the primary coaches Johnson will have to win over is offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who has a reputation for coaching his players hard. Which is something that Johnson says he loves.
“I love when he gets on me because I know he’s going to get the best out of me, and I’m going to make sure that I’m detailed in everything that I do,” Johnson declared. “He’s somebody who’s never really going to give you your flowers. He’s going to be on you, and that’s what I love out of [a] coach.”
To that point, Johnson said that although he hasn’t returned kicks since high school, he knows that special teams is a crucial phase of the game, and he’s willing to do “Whatever the team needs.”
Continuing, Johnson expounded on his statement, saying that, “If they need me to run down there on kickoff, that’s what I’ll do—kick return, gunner, whatever they need. I told coach I’m willing to do whatever it takes for the team to win.”
Johnson also isn’t afraid of a little bit of friendly competition. When he was asked about the strength of the Chiefs’ running back room, he showed nothing but excitement and anticipation.
“I love it, man,” Johnson said. “I’m playing with a Super Bowl MVP in Kenneth Walker and some other great guys. So, I just love playing against the best and competing with the best. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I want to be competing with the best. So, I love every second of it.”
Johnson is also not afraid of comparisons, which may be why he selected the recently vacated jersey No. 10, which was previously worn by former Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco and former wide receiver Tyreek Hill during their time with Kansas City.
“I had an opportunity to wear it,” Johnson acknowledged. “I got respect for the players that have worn this number in the past, but I’m trying to leave my legacy.”
Johnson’s birthday is also 10/10, so it also has a lot to do with why he wanted the number.
Listening to Johnson speak to the media, you can’t help but think that this is a guy who is the total package. He’s a guy you’d be hard-pressed to bet against.
