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Michael Johnson returns to Cincinnati Bengals

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 12, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Michael Johnson (90) stands on the sidelines as the Baltimore Ravens beat the Buccaneers 48-17 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Michael Johnson (90) stands on the sidelines as the Baltimore Ravens beat the Buccaneers 48-17 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /
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After one season apart, the Cincinnati Bengals are reunited with defensive end Michael Johnson.

The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms to bring back defensive end Michael Johnson, according to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Johnson spent the first five years of his career with Cincinnati, where he helped the Bengals’ defense become one of the best in the NFL. Over those five productive seasons, Johnson recorded 202 tackles, 26.5 sacks, 25 pass defenses and three interceptions.

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He turned that into a massive five-year, $43.8 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason. However, the Buccaneers released Johnson just one year into that contract after he struggled through injuries and recorded only 4.5 sacks and 27 tackles.

The Bengals will hope Johnson can revert to his prior form, as they were unable to find anybody to adequately replace him at defensive end opposite Carlos Dunlap in 2014. Cincinnati’s defense finished 30th in sacks last season after ranking 13th in that category in 2013.

ESPN’s Coley Harvey and Pat Yasinskas report that Johnson’s deal is for four years.

After Johnson was considered one of the biggest busts of the 2014 offseason, the Bengals clearly have a lot of faith that he can return to his previous levels of production.

Oddly enough, the Bengals will receive a third-round compensatory pick for losing Johnson last season and now have Johnson himself. Johnson will receive $7 million in guaranteed money from Tampa Bay this year, bringing his total to $16 million for his forgettable stint.

Other suitors for Johnson included the Minnesota Vikings, where former Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is now the head coach. However, the Vikings tied up a lot of money on the defensive line last offseason by signing Everson Griffen, who rewarded them with a 12 sack season.

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