The NY Jets released Chris Johnson this offseason and now teams like the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks could be interested in signing the free agent running back, as he has a great track record in the past and while he was not as productive last year in New York, he could be motivated to bounce back in 2015.
Johnson had some great seasons in Tennessee and while he was one of the fastest players in the NFL, his numbers dropped off in his final year there. Johnson has had 1000 yards in every season of his career apart from last year and he partially blamed his numbers on the way the Jets handled the RB situation. According to the Rich Eisen Show, Johnson was a guest and said that he felt that John Idzik did not want him getting as many carries over Chris Ivory.
Either way, Johnson did not have a great season in 2014 and now he could be a low risk player for teams that pays off big. Johnson getting released saved the Jets $3.5 million in cap space and they cut him before he was due to get a bonus. Johnson busted onto the scene after being the fastest player at the NFL combine in 2008 and the Titans made him a first round pick. Johnson paid off over the next few years, rushing for 2006 yards in his second season and going for at least 1k every year after that.
Johnson had contract issues with the Titans and that led him to the Jets. Johnson has been a durable player for his entire career, missing one game in that time and that was back in 2008 when he was a rookie. Johnson may not be the burner he once was and many not go for over 1,000 yards again, but he can be a solid complimentary back for a number of teams. Johnson has lost some of his value since he is a bit slower than his earlier days, but he has shown that he can be a solid receiver out of the backfield and that could help him find work as well.
Johnson comes in after rushing for just 663 yards last season and he had half as many carries as he did the previous year with Tennessee. Johnson has averaged at least four yards per carry every year of his career apart from one and that also could help him find some work. The Oakland Raiders are a potential target for Johnson, as the team is losing Darren McFadden to free agency and may not re-sign him. The Dolphins are also a potential option, as Knowshon Moreno is coming off the books and they would like to add depth behind Lamar Miller.
The Minnesota Vikings have Jerick McKinnon, but if they opt to part ways with Adrian Peterson, they could look at Johnson as a potential option to sign. The Ravens also could be a potential option. According to BaltimoreRavens.com (so you know the course is good) reports that the team could look at Johnson as a "plan B" target if the team can't retain Justin Forsett. Last season Forsett stepped up for Ray Rice and rushed for over 1000 yards and now he could cash in on that strong performance with another team.
