Michael Johnson Signs With Bengals; Vikings Now Eyeing George Selvie

The Vikings are going to pick someone up at some point to give them more depth at defensive end, but that someone is not going to be Michael Johnson.

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After flying in to Minneapolis to be wined-and-dined, and to catch up with former DC Mike Zimmer, Johnson left the Twin Cities Saturday without a deal and headed to Cincinnati.

There’s an old saying that when you let a free agent get out of town you never get him back again. That proved true in this case as Johnson chose his old team Cincinnati over a reunion with Zimmer.

Johnson got a four-year deal worth $20 million from the Bengals, and will also receive $7 million left over from his Buccaneers contract. So his life is good.

With Johnson now gone, the Vikings will look elsewhere for that defensive end depth. Minnesota has already reportedly lined up a visit with Cowboys free agent George Selvie.

But is the Selvie visit real or just a phantom like the reported Andrew Gachkar visit? Several players’ agents have seemingly leaked false stories about visits to the Vikings in order to pump up their clients’ market.

The Vikings thus far have whiffed on most attempts to sign splashy free agents. Besides Johnson, they reportedly were in on both Devin McCourty and Rahim Moore but were unwilling to match other teams’ money offers.

At least they were able to pick up backup QB Shaun Hill while retaining some of their own free agents like Tom Johnson, Joe Berger and Cullen Loeffler.

And of course they also traded for Mike Wallace, a man who spurned them in free agency two years ago.

This year at least, the lay-back-and-don’t-overpay approach is leading to a lot of free agents slipping through Rick Spielman’s fingers. Let’s hope his backup plans work out.

Next: Cardinals Will Offer ‘High Pick’ If Peterson Hits Trade Block

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