Rams cornerback Johnson can’t shed the franchise tag

He’ll make $17 million this season after deadline to reach longer deal passes.

The NFL’s deadline for signing franchise-tagged players to long-term contracts came and went Monday with the Rams unable to reach a deal with cornerback Trumaine Johnson.

Johnson, 27, will earn nearly $17 million this season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.

He was one of three NFL players with the franchise tag who did not come to terms with their teams. Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell also will play under the franchise tag, Cousins for the second time.

Cousins will earn nearly $24 million this season, Bell about $12 million.

Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram, Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones, New York Giants defensive lineman Jason Pierre-Paul and Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Kawann Short were franchise-tagged players who signed new contracts in March, April and June.

Johnson, a third-round draft pick in 2012, has intercepted 16 passes in five seasons with the Rams, a career-best seven in 2015.

After that season, the Rams opted to put the franchise tag on Johnson — at a cost of nearly $14 million — and let cornerback Janoris Jenkins become a free agent. Jenkins signed a five-year, $62.5-million deal with the Giants.

He intercepted three passes last season and was selected to the Pro Bowl.

Johnson, slowed by an ankle injury that sidelined him for two-plus games, had only one interception last season.

He leads a Rams secondary that also includes cornerbacks Kayvon Webster, E.J. Gaines, Nickell RobeyColeman, Troy Hill and Mike Jordan, among others.

The Rams open training camp July 29 at UC Irvine.

Though Johnson’s contract situation for this season has been finalized, salary-related drama is expected to continue for the Rams.

Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Aaron Donald wants a new contract that would place him among the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL.

Donald is scheduled to earn $3.2 million in salary and bonuses this season and about $6.9 million in 2018.

Paul Kitagaki Jr. Sacramento Bee/MCT RAMS CORNERBACK Trumaine Johnson, right, has held his own against receivers such as former San Francisco 49er Anquan Boldin, intercepting 16 passes in five NFL seasons, a career-high seven in 2015.