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Cincinnati Bengals: Will a reunion with Michael Johnson happen?

By Nick Ziegler

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With NFL free agency underway, there has been a flurry of player movement so far, but the Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the more quiet teams in the NFL so far.

The Bengals are looking to improve their defense that took a big step backwards last season due to injuries, and losing their defensive coordinator. A.J. Hawk has been the Bengals’ biggest signing thus far on defense this offseason, but more work still needs to be done. Adding Hawk does help give the Bengals some good experienced depth at linebacker, and now their focus has turned to bolstering the defensive line.

Another reason for the drop-off in the Bengals’ defense was the loss of defensive lineman Michael Johnson to free agency last season. Johnson was signed to a nice contract by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a few good seasons with the Bengals. Just one year into his five-year, $43.5 million dollar contract, Johnson was let go by the Buccaneers.

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In 2014, Johnson suffered some bad luck with a high-ankle sprain early in the season, and it slowed him down a bit after signing a big contract. On a poor Buccaneers team last season, Johnson played in 14 games, recording four sacks, and forcing two fumbles.

Now that Johnson is a free agent for the second straight year, the reunion of Johnson and the Bengals could very well happen. After being drafted in the third-round of the 2009 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, Johnson would go on to play five good seasons with the Bengals. He totaled 26.5 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. His best season in the NFL would come in 2011, as Johnson had 11.5 sacks on the season, which would help him land the big contract from the Buccaneers two seasons later.

Johnson is unique physically at 6’7” and 260lbs, and with his long arms and quickness, it makes him a real problem to block. Last season the Bengals struggled to get pressure on the quarterback, as they totaled just 20 sacks as a team. Carlos Dunlap was the team’s best pass-rusher last season with eight sacks. 20 sacks as a team is a very low number, and obviously an area that needs to be improved if the Bengals want to improve their offense.

Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer points down the field during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

The Bengals however aren’t the only team that’s interested in Johnson, as the Minnesota Vikings could also be a fit. Mike Zimmer, who was Johnson’s defensive coordinator with the Bengals, is the head coach of the Vikings, and could try to lure Johnson there.

Cincinnati doesn’t have a ton of money to spend after re-signing Rey Maualuga, Clint Boling, and then signing Hawk as a free agent. Johnson will not be getting the same kind of money that he signed with the Buccaneers, that was too rich for the Bengals’ blood last season, as this offseason he should be more reasonable.

Another option for the Bengals is Nick Fairley, who was on the Detroit Lions last season, but he could be looking for more money than Johnson, and that doesn’t seem to be something that the Bengals would want. A reunion between Johnson and the Bengals makes a lot of sense, and would certainly help the Bengals improve their defense in 2015.

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