TAMPA, Fla. -- A year after signing defensive end Michael Johnson to a five-year, $43.8 million contract, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released him.
Johnson, who previously played for Cincinnati, was supposed to bolster Tampa Bay's pass rush. But that didn't happen. Johnson recorded just four sacks while playing through several injuries.
Johnson still will collect $7 million in guaranteed money this year, but the move frees up $2 million in cap space.
The Bucs already have their eye on a potential replacement. Tennessee's Derrick Morgan is scheduled to arrive in Tampa on Wednesday night for a visit. Morgan played outside linebacker in Tennessee's 3-4 defense but projects as a defensive end in Tampa Bay's 4-3 defense.