Michael Johnson Released by Buccaneers: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Michael Johnson was supposed to anchor the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line in 2014 as a marquee free-agent addition just entering his prime. He didn’t, and now, he is on the way out.       

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Wednesday that the team is releasing the defensive end even though he is still owed $7 million. The team later confirmed the news.   

Roy Cummings provided insight on what the move means for the Bucs:

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times noted that Johnson only managed a measly four sacks in 2014, which is not what the Bucs were looking for after inking him to a five-year, $43.75 million deal during the offseason last year. 

It was certainly a costly decision, as Spotrac pointed out:

Interestingly, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported that the Cincinnati Bengals could try to bring Johnson back into the fold after the Buccaneers released him. Johnson played in Cincinnati from 2009-13 and peaked in 2012 with 11.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. 

Johnson would bolster a Bengals defense that finished a disappointing 30th in the NFL in sacks in 2014.