SWFL NFL products De'Vondre Campbell signs with 49ers, D'Ernest Johnson remains with Jaguars

Cypress Lake High graduate De'Vondre Campbell did not need long to find a new NFL home.

The former Green Bay linebacker, who the Packers released Wednesday, agreed to a deal with the San Francisco 49ers Friday, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Another local product kept his place in the NFL as the Jacksonville Jaguars re-signed free agent running back D'Ernest Johnson, an Immokalee High graduate, on Tuesday.

Campbell moving on: Former Packers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell lists Hobart home for $929,900

Campbell, 30, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft, 115th overall, by the Atlanta Falcons. He played four years for the Falcons and one year for the Arizona Cardinals before the Packers signed him as a free agent in 2021. He signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Packers and was their best all-around player, producing 145 tackles, two sacks, four QB hits, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and five passes defensed in 16 games. He was named first-team All-Pro.

The Packers signed him to a five-year, $50 million contract before the 2022 season. Injuries caused Campbell to miss 10 games over the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

He missed four games due to a knee injury and finished with 96 tackles (4½ for loss), two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), and three passes defensed in 13 regular-season games in 2022. He missed six games with ankle and neck injuries last year and finished with 75 tackles (two for loss), no sacks, one pass defenses, and one fumble recovery in 2023.

Campbell was the team’s nominee for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award last season, an award that recognizes NFL players who excel on the field and create a lasting positive impact in their communities.

Johnson, 28, played in all 17 games last year for the Jaguars in a reserve role. He totaled 41 carries for 108 yards. He added 10 receptions for 140 yards. Johnson also played special teams, participating in 32% of the snaps on that unit. Johnson also operated as one of the team's backup kick returners, tallying seven kick returns for an average of 18 yards per return.

Johnson gives the team another backup running back behind Travis Etienne and last year's third-round pick, RB Tank Bigsby. Bigsby totaled 132 yards on 50 carries for 2.6 yards per carry and two touchdowns.

Last week, Johnson received the Collier County Legends Award from the National Football Foundation Collier County Chapter and at that time said he was still training in Jacksonville and his family would remain there until the school year ended.

Johnson, who played for the Cleveland Browns from 2019-2022, has rushed for 846 yards and three touchdowns on 182 career carries, also catching 41 passes for 369 yards.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: De'Vondre Campbell signs with 49ers, D'Ernest Johnson remains with Jaguars