The Minnesota Vikings couldn’t convince free agent defensive end Michael Johnson to sign on with the team and rejoin his former coach Mike Zimmer. Instead, Johnson announced Sunday that he will rejoin his former team, the Cincinnati Bengals.
Johnson was in Minnesota to visit with team officials on Friday, touring Winter Park and the new stadium under construction, the Star Tribune reports. But Johnson left town Saturday without committing to Minnesota, and today he signed with Cincinnati.
Bengals gave Michael Johnson a 4-yr, $20 million deal that pays him $6 million this year. With Bucs' $7 million, Johnson makes $13M in 2015.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 15, 2015
Johnson began his NFL career with the Bengals, who drafted him in 2009. Zimmer was the team’s defensive coordinator during Johnson’s five years in Cincinnati.
Johnson, 28, played for the Buccaneers last season, but he was released Wednesday.
Michael Johnson on conference call w reporters says he had calls from #Bengals coaches, players, staff, people from the city to get him back
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) March 15, 2015
According to the Star Tribune, the Vikings are still in the market for a defensive end but the number of available free agents is dwindling. Greg Hardy, George Selvie, Mathias Kiwanuka and Da’Quan Bowers are among the more notable names left.
