Cooper Johns: Why He Quit NRL and Radio – Career Changes Explained
Few 24-year-olds walk away from an NRL premiership-winning club to chase a career in radio, but Cooper Johns did exactly that in 2022, stepping back from the Melbourne Storm after just six first-grade games. What followed was a rapid pivot into media — first at KIIS 1065, then a live on-air resignation in 2024, and now a new home at 2GB, with this article tracing the decisions and the ADHD diagnosis that shaped them.
Age: 26 (born 14 July 1999) · NRL Games Played: 6 · NRL Premierships: 1 (2020 with Melbourne Storm) · Current Occupation: Radio host at 2GB
Quick snapshot
- Retired from NRL in 2022 (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- Quit Kyle and Jackie O show live on air in 2024 (Fox League YouTube)
- Exact reasons for quitting NRL beyond public statement (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- Future career plans beyond 2025 (Fox League YouTube)
- Joined 2GB radio in 2024 (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- Diagnosed with ADHD (TikTok from @johnsfamilypodcast)
- 2020: NRL debut and premiership win (Fox League YouTube)
- 2022: Steps away from NRL (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- 2024: Quits KIIS 1065 live on air (Fox League YouTube)
- Co-hosts podcast with father Matty Johns (TikTok from @johnsfamilypodcast)
- Continues at 2GB radio (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
Six key facts about Cooper Johns, one pattern: a career defined by early exits and quick pivots.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cooper Johns |
| Born | 14 July 1999 |
| NRL Club | Melbourne Storm |
| NRL Games | 6 |
| Premierships | 1 (2020) |
| Radio Shows | KIIS 1065, 2GB |
Why did Cooper Johns stop playing?
His decision to leave the NRL
In 2022, Cooper Johns posted on Instagram that he had decided to step away from the NRL and switch out the “leather pig skin” for media work after “some late nights pondering” over drinks (Instagram post by Cooper Johns). The post was a personal announcement, not an official club release. In a Fox League segment, Johns said it was “my sort of choice” and “I chose to stop” (Fox League YouTube).
Johns framed his exit as a voluntary career shift, not a forced retirement — a distinction that matters for how fans and clubs view his legacy.
The impact of ADHD on his career
Cooper Johns has spoken publicly about his ADHD diagnosis (TikTok from @johnsfamilypodcast). While he has not explicitly cited ADHD as the reason for leaving rugby league, the condition has been discussed in family media content as part of his life narrative. The Johns Family podcast and TikTok content present his retirement as a humorous life-change rather than a disciplinary or injury-driven exit (TikTok from @johnsfamilypodcast).
The implication: ADHD may have influenced his decision to leave the structured environment of professional sport, but Johns has not made that link explicit in any primary source.
Why did Cooper Johns quit Kyle and Jackie O?
The live on-air announcement
In 2024, Cooper Johns quit the Kyle and Jackie O show live on air at KIIS 1065. He said “I feel like it’s time” (Fox League YouTube). The resignation was abrupt and caught listeners off guard, given his relatively short tenure at the station.
Transition to 2GB
Shortly after leaving KIIS, Johns joined 2GB radio in 2024 (Instagram post by Cooper Johns). The move represented a shift from commercial FM to talkback AM radio, a different format that aligns more closely with sports commentary and analysis.
Johns’ move to 2GB signals a deliberate pivot toward sports media, where his NRL background gives him credibility that a general entertainment show could not leverage.
The pattern: Johns has now made two high-profile exits in two years — first from the NRL, then from KIIS. Each time, he landed in a role that better fits his media ambitions.
What does Cooper Johns do now?
New role at 2GB
Cooper Johns joined 2GB in 2024 (Instagram post by Cooper Johns). His role involves sports commentary and radio hosting, drawing on his NRL experience and media training.
Podcast work with Matty Johns
Johns co-hosts a podcast with his father Matty Johns, a former NRL star and media personality (TikTok from @johnsfamilypodcast). The podcast covers rugby league, family life, and the lighter side of professional sport.
Why this matters: Johns has built a media career that leverages his family name and personal story, creating content that resonates with NRL fans who already know the Johns family brand.
Are Jack Johns and Cooper Johns brothers?
Johns family tree
Yes, Jack Johns and Cooper Johns are brothers (Instagram post by Cooper Johns). They are the sons of Matthew Johns, the former NRL star and media personality. The Johns family is one of Australian rugby league’s most famous dynasties.
Jack Johns’ NRL career
Jack Johns plays for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL (Fox League YouTube). Unlike Cooper, Jack has continued his playing career, representing the Knights in first-grade matches.
The trade-off: While Jack pursued the traditional NRL path, Cooper chose media — a split that reflects different priorities within the same family.
Which NRL player has ADHD?
Cooper Johns’ diagnosis
Cooper Johns has ADHD and has spoken about it publicly (TikTok from @johnsfamilypodcast). The diagnosis has been discussed in family media content as part of his personal narrative.
ADHD in rugby league
While ADHD is not uncommon in professional sport, few NRL players have spoken openly about it. Johns’ willingness to discuss his diagnosis publicly makes him a notable figure in this space (Fox League YouTube).
No primary source directly links Johns’ ADHD to his NRL exit. The connection remains speculative, based on family media content rather than a formal statement.
The implication: Johns’ openness about ADHD may help normalize the conversation around neurodiversity in Australian sport, even if the condition’s role in his career decisions is not fully documented.
Timeline
- 14 July 1999: Born in Newcastle, Australia (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- 2020: NRL debut for Melbourne Storm; wins NRL premiership (Fox League YouTube)
- 2022: Quits NRL, citing family and mental health (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- 2023: Joins KIIS 1065 as radio host on Kyle and Jackie O show (Fox League YouTube)
- 2024: Quits KIIS live on air; moves to 2GB (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
The timeline illustrates the rapid succession of career changes.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Cooper Johns retired from NRL in 2022 (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- He quit the Kyle and Jackie O show in 2024 (Fox League YouTube)
What’s unclear
- Exact reasons for quitting NRL beyond public statement (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- Future career plans beyond 2025 (Fox League YouTube)
- He joined 2GB radio in 2024 (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
- He has ADHD (TikTok from @johnsfamilypodcast)
- Jack Johns and Cooper Johns are brothers (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
These points highlight the boundaries of current knowledge.
Quotes
“To my family, get f–ked.”
— Cooper Johns, on quitting the NRL (Instagram post by Cooper Johns)
Cooper Johns told Fox League, “I feel like it’s time” (Fox League YouTube).
The quotes capture Johns’ characteristic bluntness.
Summary
Cooper Johns has built a career on knowing when to walk away — from the NRL, from commercial radio, and into a space that fits his strengths. For Australian sports media, the choice is clear: either embrace the next generation of athlete-turned-commentators like Johns, or risk losing the authentic voices that connect with fans.
Frequently asked questions
What position did Cooper Johns play in the NRL?
Cooper Johns played as a halfback for the Melbourne Storm (Fox League YouTube).
Is Cooper Johns related to Andrew Johns?
Cooper Johns is the nephew of Andrew Johns, the legendary NRL halfback. Andrew is the brother of Cooper’s father, Matthew Johns (Instagram post by Cooper Johns).
How many NRL tries did Cooper Johns score?
Cooper Johns scored 0 tries in his 6 NRL games for the Melbourne Storm (Fox League YouTube).
Who is Cooper Johns’ father?
Cooper Johns’ father is Matthew Johns, a former NRL star for the Newcastle Knights and a current media personality (Instagram post by Cooper Johns).
What is the name of Cooper Johns’ podcast?
Cooper Johns co-hosts the Johns Family Podcast with his father Matty Johns (TikTok from @johnsfamilypodcast).
What radio station did Cooper Johns work for before 2GB?
Before joining 2GB, Cooper Johns worked at KIIS 1065 on the Kyle and Jackie O show (Fox League YouTube).
These FAQs address common queries about Cooper Johns’ career.
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