Linebacker Derrick Johnson, a first-round draft choice of the Kansas City Chiefs, agreed to a five-year contract Sunday.
Johnson, an All-American at Texas and winner of the Butkus Award in 2004 as the best linebacker in college football, was the 15th player drafted and looked dazzling in offseason workouts.
Team president and general manager Carl Peterson said Johnson will be in camp today.
He is expected to step right into a starting job as the Chiefs revamp their lowly defense with as many as five new starters.
He was the last of the Chiefs’ draft picks to sign. Financial terms were not announced.
“I just got off the phone with him, and he’s very pleased, excited and anxious to get to camp,” Peterson said. “We will fly him in first thing in the morning.”
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Johnson had 130 tackles his senior season and set an NCAA record with nine forced fumbles.
“We’re pleased about getting it done,” Peterson said. “It was a very professional negotiation. It was just a continual process of trying to get it done.”
Meanwhile, receiver Freddie Mitchell and 10-time Pro Bowl guard Will Shields were out of camp getting injuries treated. Shields flew to Kansas City to consult with a back specialist.
Mitchell, who injured his knee near the end of practice Saturday, will undergo arthroscopic surgery this week.
“I think he’ll get his knee scoped tomorrow by Dr. (Jon) Browne in Kansas City,” coach Dick Vermeil said. “He’ll be back here on Wednesday if everything goes right. I think he’ll be back on the field ready to go back to work in two or three weeks.”
Peterson said he was not worried Shields might miss what he intends to be his final season. An arthritic condition at the base of his back has been causing discomfort.
Steelers: Hines Ward became the team’s first major holdout in 12 years, keeping his promise not to report to training camp without a contract extension that would make him one of the NFL’s top-paid wide receivers.
Once Ward missed the reporting deadline, Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert said negotiations were over until Ward shows up – something the four-time Pro Bowl receiver has insisted that he won’t do without a new deal.
Ward, with one year remaining on a contract worth $1.66 million this season, apparently has two choices: end his holdout and continue talks, as Steelers Pro Bowl running back Barry Foster did in 1993, or sit out the season, as three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Mike Merriweather did in 1988.
Cardinals: Arizona agreed to a contract extension with receiver Anquan Boldin that will keep him with the team through the 2010 season.
The six-year, $23.5 million contract includes signing bonuses of $5 million this year and $5 million in 2006.
Redskins: Smiling and unusually congenial, safety Sean Taylor reported to training camp, ending an offseason in which he snubbed his coaches and got arrested in Florida.
“I’m happy to be back,” said Taylor, who is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a firearm and a misdemeanor charge of simple battery stemming from June 1 confrontation near his Miami home. His trial is set for Sept. 12.
Falcons: Atlanta signed first-round draft pick Roddy White to a five-year deal. The wide receiver from Alabama-Birmingham missed the first six days and nine practices of training camp before agreeing to terms.
Lions: Former Southern California receiver Mike Williams remained a no-show at training camp as attempts to sign him continued.
