The Bengals signed free agent Josh Johnson last week as a part of 2026 Free Agency. Here are five things to know about the newest Bengal quarterback.

1. Once a Bengal

Johnson returned to Cincinnati this offseason after two previous stints in stripes: He backed up Andy Dalton on the 2013 AFC North Champion Bengals and was on the 2015 preseason roster. Johnson logged a start against the Bengals in 2021 for the Baltimore Ravens, throwing for 304 yards in a game QB Joe Burrow tossed a team-record 525 yards in a 41-21 Cincinnati victory.

2. Journeyman Johnson

Much as been made about Johnson's long career to this point. Originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by Tampa, the University of San Diego product has made regular season appearances with eight teams, starting 11 total games. He also spent time on various practice squads and preseason rosters as well. In total, Johnson has been a member of 14 different teams, the most in NFL history.

3. Multiple Stops with Multiple Leagues

While Johnson has done a tour of different NFL facilities, he also has seen different leagues. He had a stint with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the UFL in 2012, and he was the first overall pick in the inaugural quarterback draft for the Alliance of American Football by the San Diego Fleet. Johnson signed with Washington shortly after and never played a snap for the Fleet. In 2020, he spent a season in the XFL, where he was named the highest-graded quarterback by Pro Football Focus, throwing for 1,076 yards, 11 touchdowns, just two interceptions and a league-leading 106.3 passer rating in only four games.

4. San Diego Standout

Johnson is one of just 11 San Diego Toreros to play in the NFL and one of just four to be drafted. WR/CB Jamal Agnew (2017, fifth round) and TE Dalton Kincaid (2023, first round) were only other two selected in the NFL Draft, while LB Ray Schmautz was drafted in the eighth round of the 1966 AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders. During his time under head coach Jim Harbaugh at USD, Johnson was a two-time Pioneer Football League (PFL) Offensive Player of the Year, three-time First-Team All-PFL and three-time Division 1-AA All-American.

His success at San Diego gained him an invite to the 2008 East-West Shrine Game, where he was named Offensive MVP. He then ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.53 seconds) and had the highest vertical jump (33 1/2 inches) among quarterbacks at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine, leading to his eventual selection by the Buccaneers.

5. Learning Through Madden

After Washington QB Alex Smith suffered a season-ending leg injury in 2018, the team looked to fill its quarterback room and signed Johnson. Colt McCoy took over under center before suffering a broken leg, leading to Mark Sanchez as QB1. Sanchez struggled in his first start, and in came Johnson, just five days after joining the roster. He had to use the popular "Madden" NFL video game to learn the names of his Washington teammates. It apparently worked, as Johnson played well enough in mop up duty for Sanchez to earn the start the following week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnson notched his first career win as a starter that day, leading Washington to a 16-13 victory in Jacksonville as he threw for 151 yards and a touchdown and added nine carries for 49 yards on the ground.