The Cincinnati Bengals are likely to part ways with defensive end Michael Johnson, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
That would make Johnson an attractive player on the free-agent market.
Johnson played the 2013 season on a one-year franchise tender of $11.175 million, but to keep Johnson for another year on the franchise tag, the Bengals would have to guarantee him a salary of $13.4 million for 2014.
Johnson, 27, saw his sacks total drop from 11.5 in 2012 to 3.5 in 2013.
Plus the Bengals have devoted a lot of money to other defensive linemen. They gave defensive tackle Geno Atkins a five-year $55 million contract and defensive end Carlos Dunlap a six-year, $40 million contract.
Johnson and offensive tackle Anthony Collins are the only two Bengals starters from the 2013 season who are not under contract for 2014.