Michael Johnson Re-Joins Bengals - East Idaho News
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Michael Johnson Re-Joins Bengals

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GETTY 32614 Football?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1426495393168David Lee/Thinkstock(CINCINNATI, Oh.) — After a single-season stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, defensive end Michael Johnson has re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Johnson, 28, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Bengals after being drafted in the third-round out of Georgia Tech. He amassed 26.5 sacks over 79 games and was one of the hot free agents last season.

The Buccaneers awarded Johnson a five-year, $43 million contract in hopes that he would sharpen Tampa Bay’s pass rush that included Gerald McCoy and Adrian Clayborn. 

Tampa Bay released Johnson after he struggled through an ankle injury and provided just four sacks. 

In an ironic twist, after losing Johnson to free agency, the Bengals were awarded a 2015 third-round compensatory pick for Johnson. Now they also have Johnson back in the fold.

Johnson was said to be torn between returning to the Bengals or joining the Minnesota Vikings and head coach Mike Zimmer — who was the Bengals defensive coordinator until last season.


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