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Bucs trade for Lions defensive end George Johnson

 
Tampa Bay trades a fifth-round pick for DE George Johnson.
Tampa Bay trades a fifth-round pick for DE George Johnson.
Published April 16, 2015

TAMPA — Two days after their offer sheet to defensive end George Johnson was contested by the Lions, the Bucs got their pass rusher Wednesday after some pre-emptive dealing by Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht.

The Bucs received Johnson and Detroit's seventh-round pick (231 overall) for Tampa Bay's fifth-rounder (168) in this year's NFL draft.

Johnson, 27, signed a three-year, $9 million offer sheet as a restricted free agent with the Bucs on April 7. The Lions had seven days to match it but instead asked the NFL for clarification on the terms of the deal.

The Lions had questions about a de-escalator clause that could make Johnson's deal worth $7 million. But there was no need for an arbitrator after the teams agreed to the trade early Wednesday.

Johnson had six sacks, one fumble recovery and a pass defense in 16 games for the Lions last season. He entered the NFL with Tampa Bay as undrafted free agent from Rutgers, spending time on the Bucs' practice squad from 2010-12. In nine games, he had seven tackles.

The pick sent to the Lions was the final selection of the fifth round that the Bucs acquired from the Patriots for linebacker Jonathan Casillas.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound Johnson gives the Bucs another edge rusher to pair with defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and defensive end Jacquies Smith, who had 6½ sacks last season.

Johnson thanked the Lions organization but said he was looking forward to returning to the Bucs.

"Detroit will always hold a special place in my heart, you guys gave me a chance when no one was willing; for that I'm grateful," he tweeted. "I have learned behind great leadership from the organization, players, and community. Continuing on this journey that God has allowed, I vow to bring love, commitment, and hard work to the city of Tampa Bay."

The Bucs still own eight picks in the draft, which begins April 29. In addition to the pick acquired from Detroit, the team also has its own picks in the first three rounds and seventh round (Nos. 1, 34, 65 and 218), the Rams' picks in the fourth and sixth rounds (Nos. 99 and 184), and the Ravens' pick in the fifth round (No. 162).