Lions Contest George Johnson's Offer Sheet From Tampa Bay

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

CBS DETROIT - The Detroit Lions have contested the offer sheet the Tampa Bay Buccaneers extended Wednesday to defensive end George Johnson.

Originally, the Lions had a deadline of Monday to decide whether to match Tampa Bay's offer, but a decision will be delayed since the offer sheet is in dispute.

An independent arbitrator will rule on the validity of the offer sheet within 10 days, and once the ruling has been made, the Lions will have two days to decide whether to match.

The relevant section of the collective bargaining agreement reads as follows:

"In the event of any dispute regarding whether a term in an Offer Sheet is or is not a Principal Term that must be matched, including any dispute regarding whether a term is an impermissible poison pill designed to discourage or prohibit the Prior Club from exercising a Right of First Refusal, the dispute shall be presented to the Impartial Arbitrator for expedited resolution under Section 4 below. The Impartial Arbitrator shall identify all of the terms that would have to be matched by the Prior Club, and the Prior Club shall have two days after such decision in which to exercise its Right of First Refusal."

Johnson tweeted about his uncertain situation Monday.

Johnson, a restricted free agent, had a career season in 2014, recording six sacks. The Lions tendered him, so they have the chance to match any offer he receives, but they will not get compensation if they do not match and he goes elsewhere.

• Detroit Lions
• National Football League