Bengals are set to offer linebacker Brandon Johnson $1.545 million tender

We wrote in an earlier post that we expected Brandon Johnson to get a tender very soon. That's exactly what happened Tuesday afternoon, after reportedly the team was set to offer Brandon Johnson a $1.545 million tender. That would give Cincinnati a second-round compensation pick if another team signs him to an offer sheet and the Bengals choose not to match. In the same piece, Hobson notes that Corey Mays has not, and mostly won't, receive a tender allowing him to enter the free agency market.

Offering Johnson a tender was very expected. Costing $1.545 million compared to the production that he can bring to the table is a worthy one-year investment. Not only did he record 112 tackles (per Bengals.com), he led the team in tackles (90) in the nine games that he started. His two interceptions placed him second on the team -- behind the three picks in one game by Leon Hall against the Cleveland Browns -- and he was one of six defensive players with multiple sacks.

Once Brandon Johnson and Rashad Jeanty sign their deals, the Bengals will have six linebacker under contract heading into free agency and the NFL draft.

• Keith Rivers
• Dhani Jones
• Brandon Johnson (offered tender, but unsigned)
• Rashad Jeanty (offered tender, but unsigned)
• Jim Maxwell
• Abdul Hodge

You know, it's looking at lists like this that makes me agree with those that think we should go after at least two linebackers in FA and the Draft.