By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Restricted NFL free agents had until 11:59 p.m. Friday to sign an offer sheet with another team, and the deadline has passed for the Bengals' premier RFA, tailback Rudi Johnson.

"Nothing's up with Rudi," said agent Peter Schaffer on Friday.

The deadline means Johnson will return to the Bengals for the 2004 season. He is expected to sign the team's one-year tender offer of $1.824 million.

Restricted free agents can no longer negotiate with another team, and their exclusive rights revert to their original team.

The Bengals basically were guaranteed that no other team would pursue Johnson by offering him the highest of three tenders.

The Bengals would have received first- and third-round draft picks as compensation had they decided not to match any offer that Johnson may have signed.

Johnson, who rushed for a team-high 957 yards and nine touchdowns, is expected to take Corey Dillon's spot as the Bengals' featured back.

Dillon, a seven-year veteran and the franchise's all-time leading rusher, could be traded as early as draft weekend.

Oakland is believed to be Dillon's top suitor.

The Bengals on Friday signed restricted free agent tight end Tony Stewart to a two-year contract.

Cincinnati had offered Stewart a one-year tender offer of $628,000.

Stewart, a fourth-year pro, played in every game in 2003 with seven starts. He had 21 receptions for 212 yards.

The Bengals have signed five of their seven restricted free agents, defined as players whose contract expires after a third credited season.

Cincinnati re-signed kicker Shayne Graham, wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, safety Kevin Kaesviharn, guard Victor Leyva and Stewart. The team withdrew its tender to linebacker Riall Johnson, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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