NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign Michael Johnson and Alterraun Verner to big deals
Wednesday 12 March 2014 11:02, UK
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made two big defensive moves early in free agency with the signings of Michael Johnson and Alterraun Verner.
Defensive end Johnson joins after his contract with the Cincinnati Bengals expired, while cornerback Verner has signed up after leaving the Tennessee Titans.
Verner is coming off a Pro Bowl season while Johnson enjoyed his best campaign in 2012, when he registered 11.5 sacks.
Verner, who has signed a four-year deal worth a reported $26.5 million, could become a replacement for Darrelle Revis, who is heavily rumoured to be on his way out of Tampa Bay.
Johnson’s five-year deal is worth a total of $43.75m with $24m of that guaranteed, according to reports in the US media.
The Buccaneers are embarking on a rebuilding project having finished the 2013 campaign with a 4-12 record. At the end of the season they fired both head coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik.
