Fred

Johnson

The Bengals released Johnson this week after adding La’el Collins to their offensive line. He’ll join a Bucs offensive line graded by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s fifth-best pass-blocking unit in 2021.

Johnson was originally extended a tender offer as a restricted free agent, an offer the team announced he signed on Tuesday morning. The Bengals were no longer interested in bringing back Johnson after adding La’el Collins, however, so they are sending him to waivers. Any team that claims him off waivers will owe the roughly $2.4 million value of the restricted free agent tender Johnson signed.

The Bengals last week extended a right or first refusal to Johnson, a restricted free agent. Johnson in 2021 was the team’s top-graded run blocker, per Pro Football Focus. He’ll likely be a rotational guard in 2022 for what will be an improved Cincinnati offensive line.

He would make $2.433 million on the tender in 2022. He’s undrafted, so there would be no compensation if another team made an offer for Johnson. A depth piece for the Bengals, Johnson was the team’s top-graded run blocking tackle in 2021, per Pro Football Focus. He should have a rotational role in 2022 with the Bengals determined to bolster their offensive line.

Johnson was in line to serve as a swing tackle for the Bengals but Cincinnati will be elevating Isaiah Prince to that role today. With Johnson being left off the active roster, the Bengals enter Week 1 with three backup linemen available.