2014 Free Agency: Bengals DE Michael Johnson not going to the Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Johnson won't be playing football with the Philadelphia Eagles.

That according to Tim McManus with Birds 24/7.

Michael Johnson to Philly isn't happening. A few teams in the mix as negotiations get heavy, Eagles not amongst them.

— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) March 8, 2014

McManus originally wrote on Friday that there was "some interest" from the Eagles in Michael Johnson, but apparently negotiations are taking off from several teams -- unknown if the Bengals are one of them.

Les Bowen with the Philadelphia Daily News confirmed the report.

Haven't been on Twitter much last few hrs, so maybe everybody knows this, but FA pass rusher Michael Johnson will NOT be an Eagle, I am told

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 8, 2014

The Minnesota Vikings still appear to be the heavy favorites for Johnson due to his connection with head coach Mike Zimmer -- Cincinnati's former defensive coordinator. We've connected the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots, who were planning to pursue Johnson prior to the Bengals using the franchise tag.

Johnson, who had posted 17.5 quarterback sacks in 2011 and 2012 combined, generated only 3.5 sacks in 2013. All things being equal, that was really the only knock on his resume last season.

Johnson accounted for 61 pressures this year (according to Pro Football Focus). Easily a career-high. Johnson also generated a career-high in forced fumbles (2), passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage (9) and defensive stops (33) -- plays that constitute as a failure for the offense. Johnson ranked second in the NFL (among all 4-3 defensive ends) with a +21.2 score against the run.