Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson has been at odds with the team over his salary for quite some time and now things could boil over in a trade to teams like the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers or NY Giants if an agreement is not reached and the Titans could also opt to release Johnson this offseason.
Johnson has been complaining about his salary and contract since signing an extension and now he is hoping to get things worked out as he is set to get paid $8 million this season. According to Pro Football Talk, Johnson and the Titans have not been able to agree about what to do on his deal and while he wants more money, the team could look to release him or trade him if an agreement is not worked out.
The Titans reportedly want Johnson to take a pay cut of some sort, while he is looking to get a raise and he still is clinging tight to that 2,000 yard season he had a few years ago. SI.com reported that it is unlikely the Titans will have Johnson back if he is making that much money and that is what could lead to a new deal. The team has to look at signing back Alterraun Verner and after the season he had that will come at a cost and even with the salary cap going up, that doesn't mean they will pay Johnson what he wants.
Johnson has actually been fairly consistent in his career and extremely durable, as he has played in all 16 games in all but his first season and he has had over 1,000 yards each year since debuting in 2008. Last season he had 1,077 yards and his 3.9 yards per carry was a career low and that is why the team is looking to lighten his load. All his other years he was over four yards per carry and after his 2,000 yard season in 2009, he has had at least 1,000 yards each season. He has had 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons after having 14 and 11 in back to back years in 2009 and 2010 and now the two sides are at an impasse.
The Giants, Ravens and Dolphins could be options if they are willing to pay him, but it's more likely that he gets released if an agreement is not reached. Johnson is one of the fastest players in the league and while Kent State running back Dri Archer almost broke his record at the combine for a forty time, he couldn't quite do it. Johnson feels he is one of the best backs in the league and now he is hoping to be paid like one.
