Foxborough (AP) – Jakob Johnson from Stuttgart has drawn a mixed conclusion from his second season in the National Football League.
“It’s always a bit of a laughing and crying eye. Sure, played a lot, increased my role in the team, had some really good games and moments,” said the professional of the New England Patriots. “But if the entire team performance does not correspond to the goal, then you ask yourself: Was it because I played more, that the overall performance went down? Or did I contribute to the positive? We have a good team”, he said.
The Patriots missed participation in the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2008, so the season ended last weekend for Johnson. He played in all 16 games and was used eleven times from the start. In addition, the 26-year-old caught a touchdown as the first German offensive player in NFL history. After a week’s vacation, he wants to start preparing for the coming season. “Just get better in the offseason and focus on what I can control,” said Johnson.
His contractual situation does not concern him. His current contract with the Patriots ends after the coming season. “I have a good agent who I can trust. But there are so many question marks in general, especially in the NFL, when it comes to the Salaray Cap, many things are just still open,” said Johnson. It would be a few more months before he knew more. “But no matter what your contractual situation looks like, the offseason is the same: You want to be ready.”
The NFL has salary caps for teams. Loss of income in the Corona crisis means that it is unclear how the teams’ budgets will develop in the coming months. Johnson made the leap into the NFL two years ago through an international talent program.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210107-99-935220 / 2
