The Andre Johnson era in Houston could be coming to an end sooner than originally assumed. The wide receiver has been hot and cold with the Texans for the better part of a year, making headlines for doubting his future with the franchise. However, late in the season Johnson sounded like a man looking to stay put. Entering free agency, Johnson appears to be changing his tune yet again and looking to get traded sooner rather than later.
The idea that Johnson starts the 2015 season for the Texans is looking less and less likely. The wide receiver is not happy and according to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans have given him permission to seek a trade this offseason. Johnson has been with the franchise for 12 seasons, but last offseason he told the media that he was simply tired of losing and was not sure his future in Houston was guaranteed. After another struggling year, the Texans appear ready to let the receiver move on.
"It's business," Johnson said, via the Houston Chronicle. "I understand that side of it. I'm not angry about it. I knew at some point in time this day would come. If we were living in a perfect world, you know I'd want to finish my career here, but, unfortunately, that's not what's going to happen. You just have to move forward. I don't know how you tell a guy who catches 85 balls that he'll only probably catch 40. I feel like the role they were trying to put me in I'd be held back from maximizing my talents. I feel like that was the best thing for both sides. Why sit there and be miserable when I can go somewhere else and be able to show my talents."
The issue for Johnson is his age and contract. The receiver has two years remaining on a contract that has him at a $16.1 million cap hit in 2015. For a wide receiver above the age of 30, that is simply not good in terms of trade value. The Houston Chronicle previously reported that the Texans were considering just releasing Johnson, but if they can get something in return for the receiver, they will take it.
Johnson is very confident in his ability to be a starter in the league. Several teams might aim to bring him on as a complimentary target. The New York Giants might look to the veteran for a rotation with Odell Beckham Jr and Victor Cruz. The Patriots appear to be a favorite if Danny Amendola is released, but they might not like Johnson's cap hit. The Oakland Raiders can afford to bring him on and they need several wide receivers. Johnson's age is working against him along with his decreasing stats. However, a return to Houston seems out of the picture at this point.
