Lions, Buccaneers resolve dispute over George Johnson
By Andrea Hangst
Two days after the Detroit Lions took issue with the terms of the offer sheet given by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to defensive end George Johnson, the two teams came to an agreement. The Tampa Bay Times‘ Rick Stroud reports that the Lions and Buccaneers will be swapping late-round picks in the 2015 draft to make up for the discrepancy.
Johnson was given a three-year, $9 million offer sheet by the Buccaneers, which he signed. However, the Lions were concerned with some of the principal terms of the deal, mainly contract de-escalators that they considered a “poison pill” that prevented them from being able to match the offer sheet.
Initially, the Lions requested an independent NFL arbitrator to hammer out the fine details, a process that would have taken at most 10 days. The arbitrator could then return with a contract that would satisfy both teams and allow Johnson to sign with Tampa.
Instead, the Buccaneers and Lions came to their own agreement, foregoing any further involvement from the NFL’s arbitrator. The contract offer will stand as given and the two teams will receive draft compensation in return.
Johnson had the Lions’ third-highest sack total in 2014, with six. The situational pass-rusher will likely fill a similar role with the Buccaneers, replacing Michael Johnson who spent one injury-marred season in Tampa in 2014.
More from Sportsnaut:
-
2024 NFL mock draft: Michael Penix Jr. rises, Brock Bowers cracks top 10
Atlanta Falcons select Michael Penix with No. 8 overall pick in 2024 Draft
2024 NFL Draft outfits: Marvin Harrison Jr.'s necklace, Caleb Williams' nails go viral
-
Chicago Bears select USC QB Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft Date, Time: Schedule, how to watch, TV channel
-
J.J. McCarthy among those who didn't go to Detroit for 2024 NFL Draft
2024 NFL Draft order: Updated after Round 1
'Bear Bets': The Group Chat's favorite 2024 NFL Draft bets
-
2024 NFL mock draft: Michael Penix Jr. rises, Brock Bowers cracks top 10
Atlanta Falcons select Michael Penix with No. 8 overall pick in 2024 Draft
2024 NFL Draft outfits: Marvin Harrison Jr.'s necklace, Caleb Williams' nails go viral
-
Chicago Bears select USC QB Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
2024 NFL Draft QB rankings: Caleb Williams leads top 10 prospects
2024 NFL Draft Date, Time: Schedule, how to watch, TV channel
-
J.J. McCarthy among those who didn't go to Detroit for 2024 NFL Draft
2024 NFL Draft order: Updated after Round 1
'Bear Bets': The Group Chat's favorite 2024 NFL Draft bets