Andre Johnson is about to be a free man. The wide receiver is preparing for his tenure with the Houston Texans to come to an end despite comments made about potentially retiring with the franchise. The wide receiver has no interest in accepting a reduced role with the team and also has no interest in taking a pay cut in order to remain on the roster. With a trade unlikely, Johnson will be released and the race is on to sign him.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Johnson has requested he simply be released by the Texans, one they will likely grant. The trade market for Johnson is not that strong considering he is going to be 34 in July and will be a $16.1 million cap hit heading into 2015. Plus, every team knows the Texans will release the wide receiver regardless and they will simply just wait until free agency begins to sign him.
"After 12 years of being a model citizen, an ambassador, and the face of this franchise, he deserves more than a mishandled P.R. campaign that showcases only one side of the story," reporter John McGuire said, via ProFootballTalk.com. "After 12 years, he deserves to be sent off in a better way."
While everything is mere speculation at this point, there are several teams that will make a run at Johnson. The England Patriots would love an upgrade for Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell that is not Danny Amendola. They have been linked to Johnson in the past and could easily take a look again with a cheaper contract. The Atlanta Falcons need to replace Harry Doulgas. However, they are looking to get younger at the position, not older. The likely landing spot seems to be the Oakland Raiders.
According to CSNBayArea.com, the Raiders are going to look several places for a wide receiver including free agency and the draft since they have so much money to spend. The team can afford to get Johnson and make him a starter immediately. The Indianapolis Colts are in the same boat. They have money to spend and a need at wide receiver after Hakeem Nicks leaves and Father Time holds back Reggie Wayne.
The Texans are focused on getting a top quarterback and re-signing DeAndre Hopkins. At this point Johnson is expendable and his request to leave will be met. Now it will be determined just how much a veteran is worth in the NFL these days.
