In completing the final year of his contract, Johnson became Buffalo's first receiver to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He led the Bills for a second straight year with 76 catches for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns.
Johnson's season did end in controversy, after he was benched for the final three quarters of the Bills' finale at New England. He was disciplined for drawing an excessive celebration penalty after he scored a touchdown and pulled up his jersey to reveal the words "Happy New Year" written on his undershirt.
It was the second time last season and third time in 2 years that Johnson had been flagged for a TD celebration.
Coach Chan Gailey has said he would be open to Johnson returning as long as he can keep his emotions in check, and general manager Buddy Nix said last month that the Bills want to re-sign Johnson.
Starting next week, the Bills have the option to place a franchise tag on Johnson to retain his rights for one more season. That possibility was considered unlikely, because it would put the team in a position to pay Johnson about $9.4 million next season - and that's far more than what the Bills are willing to shell out.
Losing Johnson would be a big blow to the Bills' offense, which already lacked experienced depth at receiver last season after the team traded veteran Lee Evans to Baltimore in August.
In other Bills news, defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt said tackle Kyle Williams "is right on schedule" in recovering from a surgically repaired foot. Williams had previously indicated he expects to be cleared to practice in time for the start of training camp.
After coaching outside linebackers during his first season in Buffalo last year, Wannstedt was promoted to defensive coordinator after George Edwards was fired a day after the Bills' final game.
Wannstedt's first move is having the defense switch back to a 4-3 scheme.
Noteworthy
* The Denver Broncos have signed free agent wide receiver Jason Hill. The sixth-year pro has played for Jacksonville and San Francisco, which selected him in the third round of the 2007 draft out of Washington State.
He has 76 career catches for 1,028 yards and eight touchdowns in 50 career games, including 13 starts. He started 10 times last year and recorded a career-best 367 yards and three TDs on 25 catches for the Jaguars.
