Michael Johnson returned to the Bengals on Sunday with a new number and an old position, agreeing to a four-year contract in one of the most anticipated reunions in club history.
“Next to Selma, Alabama, this is my home,” Johnson stated Sunday morning. “From my brothers on the pitch to the community, to the stadium tours I gave to the kids. Everything about it. I’ve been blessed. How many people got the opportunity to accomplish this?”
The deal is expected to be worth around $24 million with incentives, bringing the Bengals’ total under the salary cap to around $23 million in the last nine days. They’ve strengthened their front seven with Johnson, middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, and former Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk, while also re-signing starting left guard Clint Boling and backup tackle Eric Winston.
That would imply that the Bengals are left with the option of making minimal deals with any remaining free agents.
“Our entire organization is just ecstatic about getting Mike back,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis stated in a press statement. “He has garnered immense respect from his coaches, teammates, and management. He contributed a lot for us while he was here, and we’re excited to have him return and help our defensive football team.”
With a single stroke of the pen, the Bengals have solved their pass-rush issues that arose when Johnson left for Tampa Bay in free agency 53 weeks ago. During his five seasons in Cincinnati, wearing No. 93 at right end, he was a ferocious three-down player against the run, recording 26.5 sacks and 27 tipped balls. He says he’ll be wearing No. 90 this trip. Will Clarke, the third-round pick from last year, wears No. 93.
“Agent 90,” he announced. “I left wearing 93; now I’m back in 90, and I’m going to be better. I predicted at the conclusion of last year that 2015 would be the best year of my life.”
