Jim Owczarski

jowczarski@enquirer.com

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed restricted free agent T.J. Johnson to a two-year extension, which The Enquirer learned was the hope of the organization when they offered him an original round draft choice tender at $1.797 million on March 7.

"We got a real good look at T.J. in the Baltimore game against high-end competition," Bengals offensive coordinator Ken Zampese said at the NFL scouting combine.

"He's worked at it for so long. The smarts, the savvy, the communication skills. Those things were good."

Johnson, 26, was a seventh-round pick out of South Carolina in 2013. He spent his rookie season on the practice squad but has seen action the last three years, including a career-high 16 games last season.

He made his first start in the season finale against Baltimore, lining up at left guard.

Cincinnati Bengals free agent tracker

Johnson has been listed as the backup center on the team’s roster and relieved starter Russell Bodine briefly in the Bengals’ week 11 loss at Baltimore. The move to guard late in the year provided a chance for the coaches to see that he can add flexibility and depth across the offensive line.