Why did the Bengals sign and then waive Fred Johnson?

The Bengals have been pretty astute in this free agency period, adroitly retooling one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines. They signed guard Alex Cappa, center Ted Karras, and tackle La’el Collins and looked to have the other side covered as well when they re-signed Fred Johnson to a one-year $2.4 million deal.

Then, thirty minutes later, Johnson was waived. It seems a reckless risk for Cincinnati. If anyone claims him off waivers, they will be on the hook for that $2.4 million. The hope seems to be that, if nobody claims him and he enters into unrestricted free agency, the Bengals can sign him at a lower price.

There is every chance that their ploy could come off, since Johnson was undrafted in 2019. In his two and a half seasons with the Bengals he has appeared in 23 games and made eight starts. The Bengals are very much shopping around and having missed out on Terron Armstead, who has signed with the Dolphins, Cincinnati seem to be making a move to give themselves a safety net at tackle in case they can't find an upgrade.

Johnson is a fourth-year player out the University of Florida, and was originally signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mid-way through his rookie season, he signed with the Bengals and has seen playing time at both tackle and guard.

These back-room deals remind us that, while the NFL might look like a game on the outside, on the inside it is definitely a business. Fred Johnson is finding that out the hard way.