Jan. 23 ESPN Insider: Rudi Johnson
 

Rudi Johnson

Jan. 23 - Talented Bengals RB Rudi Johnson will sit out the 2005 season if the Bengals put a franchise tag on him, agent Peter Schaffer told the Cincinnati Inquirer Jan. 22. Johnson, who can become an unrestricted free agent March 2, is looking for a five- or six-year contract with the Bengals.

Johnson hopes to avoid being a lame duck for one year, essentially playing as a one-year free agent for Cincy if the team puts the franchise label on him. If they do, the Bengals must guarantee the 25-year-old be paid about $6 million, or whatever is equivilant to the average salary of the top five NFL backs.

As a restricted free agent in 2004 when he earned $1.8 million, Johnson started all 16 games and set team records with 1,454 rushing yards and 361 rushing attempts. He also scored 12 touchdowns.