David Johnson is coming off an absolutely ridiculous 2016 campaign. The former third-round pick from Northern Iowa put up a league-leading 2,118 total yards and 20 touchdowns in just his second NFL season.
In addition to having a chip on his shoulder after being selected in the mid rounds, Johnson’s off-field training is one of the primary reasons he’s been successful in the NFL.
Most of us caught wind of this specific exercise from Johnson earlier in the offseason. He’s now added yoga to the mix. And as Johnson himself explains, this will have a direct impact on what he does on the field.
“Getting more flexible, really, is the big thing,” Johnson said about picking up yoga, via the Cardinals’ official website. “I’m so stiff, especially in my hips and in my hamstrings. I need to work on that.”
This shouldn’t be considered absurd. Jerry Rice and other top players of his ilk years ago took up ballet as a way to help them with coordination near the sidelines.
If you have ever done yoga, you know full well it’s not the easiest exercise in the world. For Johnson, this is just an extension of his intense off-season program. It’s also a nice way for Johnson to spend some quality time with his wife, who shares in the running back’s yoga workouts in their home.
Good for the young running back. It’s going to do nothing but help him improve even more off last season’s great performance.