The much-discussed future of Chris Johnson has taken yet another turn. According to Pro Football Talk, the Tennessee Titans will soon “begin attempting to trade” Johnson.
Per league source, Titans will soon begin attempting to trade RB Chris Johnson. Full story coming at PFT.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 9, 2014
The report echoes one earlier in the weekend by the Tennesseean, which indicated if the team does not receive many calls on the running game he will likely be released.
I suspect the #Titans are gauging trade interest for RB Chris Johnson. Not sure how successful they’ll be with expectation he’ll be released
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 9, 2014
Johnson is coming off of a 2013 campaign in which he managed 1,077 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns despite playing through a torn meniscus. He has three years remaining on is six-year, $55.26 million contract and is due $8 million in 2014 — the highest salary of anyone on the team — which makes him unlikely to be dealt.
Johnson was reportedly a candidate for release back in January when the Titans introduced Ken Whisenhunt as the team’s new head coach and he made no commitments to the former 2,000-yard back. Previously, Johnson said he was unwilling to accept a pay cut and would like to be featured more heavily in the offense. Cutting Johnson would cost Tennessee about a $4 million cap hit.
If and when Johnson is released by the team, he would join a free agent running back class that includes the Houston Texans’ Ben Tate and the Denver Broncos’ Knowshon Moreno. However, Pro Football Talk reported Saturday there is little movement on the market for free-agent running backs.
Among the teams that could use help at the position include the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and Dallas Cowboys. The Giants are expected to bolster their offensive line this offseason in an effort to revive their running game, which is losing Andre Brown to free agency. The Browns sent Trent Richardson packing mid-season and used a host of no-names in the backfield to try and replace him. If Miami is not sold on Lamar Miller, the team could look to a proven back to help Ryan Tannehill as he enters this third season, while both the Pats and Boys don’t have major needs at the position could be looking to add depth if the price is right.
