Washington Redskins quarterback Josh Johnson wasn't in the NFL just a few weeks ago, but on Sunday he was able to lead the team to a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. That was his first-ever win as a starting QB despite coming into the league in 2008.
After the game, Jackson was asked how he felt about getting that elusive W and he admitted he was feeling a lot of relief.
“I've always had belief in myself that I can do things like this, but, I've never been one to talk about it because talking does nothing,” Johnson said after the game via NFL.com. “… Just to have it go our way and be able to just have everything that has been building up in me for years and finally let it out, it was a relief. Honestly, it was. It was just a relief.”
Johnson has bounced around the league and appeared in 32 games since 2009 but has never been credited with a win. When Dustin Hopkins kicked the game-winning field goal dropped to the ground in celebration. Johnson said he was overcome with emotion and a big reason why is because he doesn't know when his last chance in the NFL will be.
“I know every opportunity I get could be my last one,” Johnson said. “That's just the reality of my situation. I just want to leave it all out on the field. I owe this game that much because I love it that much. I mean, I've put in this work; I've stayed around this game for this long. For me to go out there and not leave it all out on the field, I would be disrespecting it. So, at the end of the day, if I have an opportunity where I know I can make a play, I'm going to go do that. I mean, we ended up pulling out the victory, so it worked out for us.”
Most importantly for Johnson is he kept the Redskins hopes alive for a playoff spot. They have two games left against the Tennessee Titans and the Philadelphia Eagles and although they don't control their destiny it starts with them winning those two games.