Former Tennessee LB Alexander “A.J.” Johnson has signed his restricted free agent tender, the Denver Broncos announced Thursday.

Johnson, a two-year starter and inside linebacker for Denver, appeared in all 16 games last year and recorded 124 tackles, four tackles for loss, five quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, two passes defensed and a sack. He is now officially under contract with the team through the 2021 season. He had three double-digit tackle games in 2020, including against the Raiders, Chargers and Titans.

Entering his fourth season, Johnson appeared in 17 games (13 starts) with Denver (2018-20) in addition to spending time on the club’s practice squad. He started 12-of-15 games played in 2019, tying for second on the team with 93 tackles (51 solo), 1.5 sacks (3.5 yds.), three passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

At Tennessee, Johnson in 2014 became the all-time leader in career assisted tackles at UT with 207; which broke the record of Andy Spiva (193). He also was second in career total tackles at UT with 425 behind Spiva’s (547).

Overall at Tennessee (2011-14), Johnson had 424 tackles (217 solo), three sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. Johnson made the NFL with Denver as a college free agent on Aug. 13, 2018.