George Johnson's three-year, $9 million offer sheet signed with the Buccaneers is being disputed by the Lions, ESPN.com reports.

Johnson's three-year, $9 million offer sheet signed with the Buccaneers is being disputed by the Lions, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis:

Johnson's future employer hangs in the balance while an independent arbitrator reviews the offer sheet he signed last Tuesday with the Buccaneers and identifies all the terms the Lions would be required to match, should they decide to do so. The arbitrator's ruling is expected within 10 days, at which point the Lions would then have two days to match the offer. Johnson began his career in Tampa Bay, but made his biggest impact in Detroit last season, posting a personal best 29 tackles and six sacks in 2014.