NFL Rumors: Michael Johnson could command $10 million a year in free agency?
By Bryan Rose
Yesterday, it was reported that Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Michael Johnson wouldn’t mind playing for the Atlanta Falcons.
If the Falcons are interested in signing the 26-year-old free agent to be, it’s going to cost them – a lot.
ESPN’s Adam Caplan hinted that it’s very possible Johnson could command an annually salary of $10 million dollars a year in free agency.
"Per @CaplanNFL, DE MichaelJohnson may command $10M/year in free agency."
Caplan made the suggestion on NFL Insiders.
The Bengals, who’ve expressed a desire to retain Johnson don’t have any plans to place the franchise tag on him for the second straight season, especially with Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins both locked up long term. That doesn’t include the addition of Margus Hunt who looks to be coming into his own.
If Johnson can pull a $10 million dollar annual salary out of some team, you have to think he’d be done in Cincinnati as there’s simply no way the Bengals commit that type of money to Johnson long term – and understandably so.