Cooper Johns: Why He Quit NRL for His Radio Career

Cooper Johns walked away from an NRL career at 24 to trade the training field for a radio studio, swapping a famous surname’s football legacy for a microphone. This article unpacks why he left the game, what he’s doing now, and how the next generation of the Johns family is carving its own path in the media.

Full name: Cooper Johns · Born: 14 July 1999 · Position: Five-eighth / Halfback · NRL debut: 2020 (Melbourne Storm) · NRL games: 19 · Current role: Radio host (KIIS FM, 2024)

Seven key facts, one pattern: Cooper Johns’ career is defined by early promise, a brief NRL stint, and a deliberate pivot to media before turning 25.

Why did Cooper Johns quit NRL?

Injury concerns

• Johns said he had considered giving up the game while in Melbourne but played one more year at Manly after moving home to the northern beaches (The Sydney Morning Herald).
• He had fielded Super League interest through his manager but told him he was going to finish up (The Sydney Morning Herald).

Desire for new challenges

• Johns said he had decided to “switch out the leather pig skin for a microphone” in his Instagram post (The Sydney Morning Herald).
• He passed on opportunities to continue playing in England’s Super League in order to start full-time radio work (The Sydney Morning Herald).

Family considerations

• Johns is the son of rugby league legend Andrew Johns and brother of fellow NRL player Jack Johns. The family legacy may have influenced his decision to step away on his own terms.

The implication: his departure was less about injury and more about a calculated career shift that prioritised mental health and new opportunities.

What does Cooper Johns do now?

Radio career at KIIS FM

• Johns joined the Kyle and Jackie O show on KIIS FM in early 2024 (Fox Sports Australia).
• He had been working in radio while still playing NRL, according to reports from The Sydney Morning Herald (The Sydney Morning Herald).

Transition from sports to media

• Johns said by October 2023 he already knew what was happening with his next career step (The Sydney Morning Herald).
• His move into full-time radio was a deliberate choice, not a fallback.

The pattern: his media career is still in its early stages, but the move signals a broader trend of athletes using their platforms to build second careers early.

Did Cooper Johns retire?

Official announcement

• Johns announced in January 2024 that he was “stepping away for a bit” from the NRL (Fox Sports Australia).
• His statement made clear that the move was not framed as a full retirement from the sport (Fox Sports Australia).

Reaction from NRL community

• Many in the rugby league world expressed surprise but understood his decision to prioritise mental health and new challenges.

Difference between retirement and stepping away

• Johns used the phrase “step away for a little bit”, leaving the door open for a potential return, though no plans have been announced.

The catch: by not calling it a retirement, he keeps the option alive, but his actions suggest a permanent pivot.

Why is Cooper Johns not playing?

Retirement decision

• Johns made the decision to step away from the NRL in January 2024 after four seasons (Fox Sports Australia).
• He cited a need to step away from the game, both physically and mentally.

Injury history

• While not a major injury concern, Johns had considered giving up the game while at Melbourne due to the toll of professional rugby league (The Sydney Morning Herald).

Career shift focus

• His media career had already begun while he was still playing, making the transition natural.

The trade-off: playing one more year in reserve grade or Super League versus starting a full-time media career. Johns chose the latter.

Who is Cooper Johns’ brother?

Jack Johns – also a rugby league player

• Jack Johns is Cooper’s older brother and also played in the NRL for the Newcastle Knights and other clubs.
• Both brothers are sons of former NRL player Andrew Johns, one of the greatest players in rugby league history.

Rugby league family legacy

• The Johns family is synonymous with rugby league, and both Cooper and Jack grew up in the spotlight.

What this means: the next generation of the Johns family is diversifying beyond the football field, setting a precedent for future athletes in the clan.

Timeline

• 14 July 1999 – Born in Newcastle, Australia
• 2019 – Signed with Melbourne Storm
• 2020 – NRL debut for Melbourne Storm
• 2022 – Left Melbourne Storm
• 2023 – Played for Manly Sea Eagles; considered giving up the game
• January 2024 – Announced stepping away from NRL and joined KIIS FM

Clarity: Confirmed vs. What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Cooper Johns stepped away from the NRL in January 2024
• He played for Melbourne Storm (2020-2022) and Manly Sea Eagles (2023)
• He is the brother of Jack Johns
• He was born on 14 July 1999
• He now works full-time at KIIS FM as a radio host

What’s unclear

• Exact net worth (not publicly disclosed)
• Current relationship status (wife not confirmed)
• Exact salary details
• Height (not officially recorded in reliable sources)

Quotes from Cooper Johns

“I’ve decided to switch out the leather pig skin for a microphone.”

Cooper Johns, via Instagram, quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald (The Sydney Morning Herald)

“I’m stepping away for a bit and I’m really excited to join the Kyle and Jackie O show.”

Cooper Johns, as reported by Fox Sports Australia (Fox Sports Australia)

“I had thought about giving the game away when I was in Melbourne but I came home and played one more year at Manly.”

Cooper Johns, quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald (The Sydney Morning Herald)

“I had Super League interest through my manager but I told him I was going to finish up.”

Cooper Johns, quoted in The Sydney Morning Herald (The Sydney Morning Herald)

From these statements, it’s clear that Johns had been wrestling with the decision for more than a year before announcing it publicly.

Summary

Cooper Johns’ career shift from NRL to radio is a rare case of a young athlete leaving the game at its peak earning potential to pursue a different passion. For the next generation of the Johns family, the decision is clear: follow the football legacy or build a new one in media. For Cooper, the microphone has already won.

Cooper Johns has openly discussed his transition from NRL to radio and the challenges of leaving professional sport behind.

Frequently asked questions