Cincinnati Bengals sign QB Josh Johnson

Josh Johnson's one-year, $1.5M signing earns a **B– Contract Value Index (CVI)** — a low-risk, depth-appropriate investment that reflects realistic organizational expectations for a backup QB in an offseason that still leaves significant roster construction ahead. At $1.5M AAV, this is firmly in the league-minimum-plus range, the tier reserved for career backup and emergency fill-in roles; there's no bet here on a dramatic reversal of fortune or late-career resurgence. The Bengals, sitting at 6–11 and outside the playoff picture, are operating in stabilization mode, and a one-year pact with zero guaranteed money (implied by the structure) preserves cap flexibility without tying the organization to a long-term QB commitment. Johnson's CVI grade reflects sound front-office discipline: the salary is appropriately scaled to his market tier, the term imposes no dead-cap burden, and the deal is easily excisable if a younger prospect emerges or the team pivots at the position. This is exactly how you structure a backup QB contract — minimal investment, maximum optionality — which is why the grade sits comfortably in the above-average range despite the player's modest tier.