"Yeah, you know, just a bad play overall," Johnson said in the locker room, three days after Miami's loss to New England. "Obviously, you know, that's a play that, you know, I feel like I like myself making that play 10 out of 10. Obviously, I didn't make it."
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Johnson went low and Maye very easily avoided him with a subtle step back in the pocket. Maye was able to compete a 4th-and-2 near halftime.
Was Johnson trying to avoid a penalty?
"No," Johnson said.
So Maye just made a good manuever?
"Yeah, honestly, I don't even know how to explain it," Johnson said. "Just, you know, whatever happened in the heat of things. Just whatever happened in the heat of things, I just ended up missing the sack. I feel like that's the easiest way I could explain it."
The play went viral, which Johnson couldn't help but notice. How many times did he watch it?
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"A lot, and some I don't even wanna watch it, I'm just seeing it all over the place," the rookie first roudner said. "But I feel like it's a good reminder. I don't enjoy seeing it, so it's an embarrassing play, but at the end of the day, I feel like it's a reminder to me what happened. I feel like it's a reminder to me what happens when you mess up in a big moment. So I can't wait to get on the field to make it up."
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback JuJu Brents (8) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback JuJu Brents (8) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) is tackled during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (0) runs the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) runs the ball as Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. (11)fends during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. de. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel looks on during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) is tackled by New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) drops back to throw a pass during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) drops back to throw a pass during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) warms up in the rain before the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback JuJu Brents (8) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
1/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback JuJu Brents (8) reacts after a play during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
2/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback JuJu Brents (8) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
3/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) is tackled during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
4/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II (0) runs the ball during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) runs the ball as Miami Dolphins safety Dante Trader Jr. (11)fends during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. de. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
6/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel looks on during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
7/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
8/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) is tackled by New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
(Sam Navarro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
9/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) drops back to throw a pass during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
10/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) drops back to throw a pass during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
11/11
Miami Dolphins host New England Patriots in AFC East battle
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) warms up in the rain before the game against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images
(Rich Storry, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
What have coaches said?
"Really just keep being myself," Johnson said. "Obviously, I feel like it's an out of character play. I feel like I haven't really shown that kind of stuff on tape to this point, obviously. But really just maintain being myself, understand I'm here for a reason. A bad play that doesn't determine who is a player."
Coach Jeff Hafley said he has full confidence in Johnson.
Nov 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III (86)runs the ball during the third quarter against Miami Dolphins cornerback Chris Johnson (3) at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
"He knows he's more than capable of making those plays, it was a one-time thing, and he'll make the play the next time," Hafley said. "Those are the ones you just got to move on. You can't get them back."
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Johnson has had a good rookie season.
This was just such an odd play. It appeared he could easily complete the sack but just whiffed. Johnson said on clear runs to the quarterback he actually wants to get the ball out.
"I'm trying to get the ball," Johnson said. "If I'm there free, especially as, I don't know what the edge guys are getting taught, but if I'm coming on the blitz, I'm usually gonna be unaccounted for and nobody knows I'm there, so I'm usually gonna be going for the ball."
