Canadian Theo Johnson reflects on injury-shortened 1st NFL season with New York Giants

Theo Johnson's season was cut short, and his New York Giants finished near the bottom of the standings, but the Canadian tight end says he's happy to have his first NFL season under his belt.

The 23-year-old played 12 games — earning his way into the starting lineup — with 29 receptions and one touchdown. 

Johnson, who's from Windsor, Ont., broke his foot in the American Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys, which abruptly ended his season.

He was drafted in 2024 by the Giants in the fourth round out of Penn State. 

As his southwestern Ontario hometown gears up for this weekend's NFC divisional round playoffs with Detroit Lions fever — who play across the river from Windsor — he's focused on his recovery.

Johnson talked with CBC Radio's Windsor Morning host Amy Dodge about his first year and moving forward. Here's a portion of that conversation.

Tell us about your rookie season. Looking back, what sticks out with you? 

I've come a long way since the last time we spoke, for sure … a whirlwind. It's been crazy. 

They throw the world at you as soon as you walk in the door. 

I feel like time's really flown by since I came in, but I think all in all, for me personally, it was a good year. I feel like I accomplished a lot. 

I was able to work into a starting role as a rookie, which is a great accomplishment. 

Obviously, we got a lot to work on. Not only me personally, but as a team coming in next year. But … I'm super grateful for the year that I was able to accomplish this for the Giants. 

How did this year compare to maybe the way you always pictured it or dreamed about it growing up? 

You hear about it from guys [you] used to play with in college about what to expect or how the league is, but nothing can