The Minnesota Vikings are hosting defensive end Michael Johnson one day after he was released from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
At this time last year the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the winners of free agency in the first year under head coach Lovie Smith with the headline signing of defensive end Michael Johnson.
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He signed a five-year, $43 million deal after he was franchised by the Cincinnati Bengals the year before, but after an injury-marred first season in Tampa Bay where the Buccaneers had the worst record in the NFL, Johnson was cut and is a free agent.
What a difference a year can make.
One year after he was one of the most coveted players on the market, Johnson is hopeful he can get back to a situation that will allow him to thrive on the football field, which is why it makes perfect sense that he is visiting the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday where his former defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer is the Vikings head coach.
Contact close to Michael Johnson: "It's clear Zimmer likes him, and he likes Zimmer." So yes, he's coming in for a visit. #Vikings
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 12, 2015
According to Darren Wolfson, the two have a good relationship so it makes sense on the surface that he’d be brought in for a visit. Zimmer tried to get Johnson last year before they agreed to an extension with Everson Griffen and he signed with the Buccaneers.
The 6-7, 260-pound defensive end had four sacks in 14 games last year after having 3.5 in 2013, but hasn’t come close to the 11.5 sacks he had in 2012 which resulted in him being franchised by the Bengals.
Keep an eye on the Bengals & Michael Johnson. Not quite Revis/Jets but a reunion is quite possible.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) March 11, 2015
According to NFL Media columnist Michael Silver, the Bengals are interested in a reunion of their own, so the Vikings have competition for him.
Where do you think is the best fit for Johnson? Should he go back to Cincinnati where he had his best years or sign with the Vikings and play for the coach he had in Cincinnati?
Next: NFL Free Agents list: Best available by position
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