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Kansas Linebacker Steven Johnson Earns Bonus With Denver Broncos

Kansas Jayhawks fans who root for the Kansas City Chiefs may have to root for at least one member of the Denver Broncos this year. Former Kansas Jayhawks linebacker Steven Johnson signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent, and received a $12,000 signing bonus -- the largest bonus handed out by John Elway's Broncos.

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Other undrafted players who received decent signing bonuses were cornerback Coryell Judie, defensive end Jamie Blatnik and linebacker Jerry Franklin, who each received $10,000. Duke Ihenacho, a safety, signed for $8,500.

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Johnson's bonus is the largest by a fair margin, and comes out to roughly 15% of Denver's undrafted free agent budget.

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If his Big 12 play is any indicator, Johnson certainly earned the bonus, as he led the Big 12 in tackles with 124 in 2011, and was No. 21 in the entire country in tackles.

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After starting the last two years in Kansas, Johnson will have to compete to crack Denver's final roster -- and it'll be tough even for Chiefs fans to root against him.

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