Raiders sign QB Johnson
The Raiders signed journeyman quarterback Josh Johnson on Monday, presumably to compete for the backup job behind Derek Carr.
Johnson, 31, was drafted by Tampa Bay in 2008 — Raiders head coach Jon Gruden’s last season as the Buccaneers’ head coach. Since then, Johnson has been a part of 10 other NFL teams. He last attempted an NFL pass in 2011 for Tampa Bay and last played in a game in 2013 with the Bengals.
Johnson is an Oakland native and attended Oakland Tech High School with his cousin, Marshawn Lynch. His signing is a further indication that the Raiders are sticking with Lynch, who received a $1 million roster bonus Sunday.
With last season’s backup, EJ Manuel, an unrestricted free agent, Johnson figures to compete for backup duties with Connor Cook. Johnson has five starts among his 29 NFL appearances. He has completed 96 of 177 passes for 1,042 yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has a career passer rating of 57.7.
Johnson attended San Diego, where he played under thencoach Jim Harbaugh. Johnson later signed with the 49ers, for whom Harbaugh was head coach. Teams Johnson has signed with or played for also include the Browns, Bengals, Jets, Bills, Colts, Ravens, Giants, Jaguars and Texans.
— Matt Kawahara Pouncey to Chargers: Center Mike Pouncey, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dolphins, agreed to a two-year contract with the Chargers.
Pouncey was released by the Dolphins last week after refusing a pay cut. He started all 16 games last season, his seventh in the NFL.
The Chargers swooped in to grab a centerpiece for what appears to be an impressive offensive line. Los Angeles finished fourth in the league last season with 376.6 yards per game despite fielding only the 26th-best rushing attack. More deals: Washington signed cornerback Orlando Scandrick to a two-year deal worth up to $10 million. The Cowboys released Scandrick over the weekend after he made 38 tackles in 11 starts last season. Scandrick started 69 games and appeared in 125 with Dallas since being taken in the fifth round of the 2008 draft . ... The Texans finalized a deal with unrestricted free agent safety Tyrann Mathieu and claimed wide receiver Sammie Coates off waivers from Cleveland . ... Tackle Marshall Newhouse, released by the Raiders after starting 14 games for the team last season, reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the Bills, who also agreed with former Bengals starting center Russell Bodine on a two-year deal . ... The Rams re-signed defensive end Dominique Easley after an injury kept him out last season. ... Linebacker Lerentee McCray signed with the Jaguars . ... The Colts signed former Lions tight end Eric Ebron . ... The Jets signed former Lions linebacker Brandon Copeland and resigned defensive lineman Xavier Cooper . ... A source said the Panthers had agreed to a threeyear deal with former Vikings wide receiver Jarius Wright.