Caleb Johnson

Career StatsD

Year	Team	GP	Tkl	Sacks	INT
Career		67	40	—	—
2025		2	2	0.0	0
2024		17	9	0.0	0
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Miami Dolphins got a D+ Contract Value Index out of the Caleb Johnson signing because the guaranteed money matches the production tier. At $1.17M AAV on a one-year deal, Johnson's contract reflects exactly what he's delivered across five seasons: depth-level linebacker production with minimal impact metrics—zero sacks and one forced fumble over his career—that place him squarely in the backup rotational category. His 2025 season output of 2 tackles across 2 games underscores his limited role, and that modest workload aligns perfectly with a salary point designed for reserve contributors, not starters. At 27 years old with five seasons already logged, Johnson sits at a career crossroads where his compensation is neither overpaying for upside nor undervaluing proven talent; it's precisely calibrated for a depth piece, which is the honest assessment both the organization and market are making. The Dolphins' recent activity—adding linebacker depth through multiple signings including another ILB—suggests Miami views Johnson as expendable organizational depth rather than a core defensive asset, and his contract structure reflects that reality. For Johnson to shift this narrative beyond D+-grade value territory, he would need either immediate on-field impact that proves his low sample size as a fluke or a defined role on special teams that justifies his roster spot; without that, he remains a forgettable backup whose ceiling is quality depth.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the D band — a quick read on where Caleb's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Caleb Johnson delivers production that earns a D performance grade against LB comps. At 27 years old and five seasons into his NFL tenure, Johnson sits firmly in the replacement-level linebacker tier—a depth contributor whose career totals of zero sacks and one forced fumble across five years underscore his inability to generate meaningful impact at a premium position. His 2025 season figures tell the story plainly: 2 tackles across 2 games reflects the limited opportunities afforded to a reserve linebacker, and those spartan counting stats align with his role as organizational depth rather than a featured starter. The lack of measurable production—no sacks, minimal forced fumbles, sparse tackle accumulation—points to a player who has failed to distinguish himself within the front seven, whether through gap disruption, sideline-to-sideline range, or impact plays that change possession. Johnson's $1.2M salary and current status as a fifth-year veteran facing a crowded linebacker room suggest the Dolphins view him as ancillary insurance; his path to relevance depends entirely on capitalizing when injuries create opportunity, yet his performance history offers little reason for optimism. At this stage, Johnson is organizational depth with a modest ceiling—the kind of player most fans overlook because he has given them no reason to pay attention.

How Caleb Compares at the Position

Caleb Johnson ranks 298th of 338 graded linebackers by performance. That slots Caleb between Patrick Johnson (D) just ahead and Kain Medrano (D) just behind.

Current Sentiment

The media and fan perception around Caleb Johnson sits in decidedly lukewarm territory, earning a D+ sentiment grade that reflects five years of underwhelming production and minimal visibility within the Dolphins organization. The lack of recent coverage speaks volumes—when a five-year veteran linebacker generates zero buzz in today's content-hungry sports media landscape, it signals a player who has failed to distinguish himself beyond special teams contributions. Johnson's measly career totals (zero sacks, one forced fumble) combined with his replacement-level $1.2M salary have created a narrative of a depth piece who hasn't seized opportunities to prove he belongs in a larger role. The sentiment aligns perfectly with his F-level performance grade, as fans and analysts view him as organizational depth rather than a legitimate contributor to Miami's defensive success. What would shift this narrative? Johnson would need to either make game-changing plays when given opportunities or carve out a defined role on special teams that generates positive recognition. Right now, public opinion sees him as exactly what his statistics suggest—a forgettable backup whose ceiling appears to be quality depth, with most fans likely unaware he's even on the roster.