NFL Free Agency 2015: Will Vikings Let Michael Johnson Leave Town Unsigned?
Sep 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson (93) celebrates with defensive tackle Brandon Thompson (98) during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
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Michael Johnson played defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals with Mike Zimmer as his Defensive Coordinator. He became a star under Zimmer’s tutelage, including racking up 11.5 sacks in 2012. His strong play led to a bidding war for his services last spring as he hit free agency. The Minnesota Vikings, who by then had Zimmer onboard as Head Coach, were in the running. At the end of the day though, Johnson chose to be closer to his family and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Vikings used some of those still available resources and signed Everson Griffen to a fat extension. Griffen rewarded them with a career season, including 12 sacks.
Johnson’s 2014 season with Tampa Bay did not go nearly as well. He did not fit well in Leslie Frazier and Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 scheme and was released after one season in Florida. Now he is back on the block and figures to be signed for much less than the 5 year, $42.5 million he signed for last year, or the 5 year, $43.75 million Griffen locked up last off-season. One thing that helps is that the Buccaneers still owe him $7 million this year to not play for them.
Now, Johnson is set to meet with the Vikings again and it is the first visit he is making. The Bengals also have interest in bringing him back. One thing that will be interesting is the fact that he and Griffen both happen to play right defensive end. However, as Matt Vensel and Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune pointed out, there might not be an issue:
"Johnson has predominantly been a right defensive end throughout his career, and that’s the same position that Griffen plays. But it seems reasonable that Zimmer would consider having both of those speed rushers on the roster as a good problem to have. Perhaps Johnson could replace (Brian) Robison, who had just 4 ½ sacks in 2014, on passing downs."
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Robison did not make the usual impact we have come to expect out of him last season. It is possible that he just had a down season. On the other hand he is going to be 32 years old for the 2015 season. It is entirely possible the twilight of his career has already begun.
Having an abundance of talent is never a bad thing. As long as the Vikings have money available for this move, I would be all for it. Zimmer is trying to build the defense to his specifications. Bringing in a guy in Johnson who thrived in his system before would definitely help.
It will be an interesting decision for Johnson. He may be able to lock up a bigger role on the Bengals than he could in Minnesota. That said, the Zimmer effect figures to be strong. We should have a better idea of the outcome by the end of the day.