Bengals officially tag DE Michael Johnson

The Cincinnati Bengals will use the franchise tag on DE Michael Johnson (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) The Cincinnati Bengals have officially tagged Michael

The Cincinnati Bengals will use the franchise tag on DE Michael Johnson (Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals  have officially tagged Michael Johnson, one of the top defensive ends slated to hit the free market. Unless Johnson gets a new contract that supersedes the tag, Johnson will make $11.2 million in 2013. The sides have until mid-July to work out a long-term deal.

With the tag on Johnson, the Bengals will have time to work out a multi-year deal with right tackle  Andre Smith. Even with Johnson tagged, the Bengals have more than $40 million in cap space to work with.