Las Vegas Raiders: 15 best linebackers of all-time

Best linebackers in Las Vegas Raiders history: 12. Monte Johnson

Out of the University of Nebraska, Monte Johnson was drafted in the second round of the 1973 NFL Draft. Well, the rest was history. Johnson played for the Raiders from 1973 until 1979 when he retired after the season. All seven of his years in the NFL were spent in Oakland with the Raiders.

During Johnson’s seven seasons, he amassed 99 regular season appearances and 11 playoff appearances, including three games during the 1976 AFC Playoffs that culminated in a Super Bowl championship over the Minnesota Vikings for the team.

Johnson was one of the most versatile linebackers the Raiders ever had as he was capable of playing any of the linebacker positions.

Early on in his career, Johnson was utilized primarily as a middle linebacker, but as he continued his career, he moved to the outside. In addition to his versatility, Johnson was as tough as they come, fitting in with the norm for Raiders players back in the day.

During the insane “Ghost to the Post” game in the 1977 AFC Championship, Johnson suffered a broken vertebrae in his spine. An injury like that surely sidelines a player, right? Not Johnson, he finished the game, including overtime, despite his injury. Johnson was as tough as he was talented, and he really set the tone for the first championship defense in Oakland.