Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans at a ‘stand still’
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) carries the ball against the Houston Texans during the second half at LP Field. Tennessee won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Titans could give big-name running back Chris Johnson is walking papers this offseason if he doesn’t agree to a paycut, as he is to make a whopping $8 million next season and would make the same amount of money in 2015. Johnson also has a $7 million base salary for the 2016 season, and he would make $9 million in total in the final year of his contract due to a $2 million roster bonus. Those are simply untenable totals for an underachieving back, and Johnson might have only a couple of useful years in him at the age of 28.
Johnson recently said this, “My agent and titans front office had a talk yesterday and everything is still at a stand still so it’s a waiting game while I continue to grind.”
A “stand still”, huh? That doesn’t bode well for his future with the team, because all the money that the Titans are set to spend on Johnson could be better spent. I mean, they could nab two quality backs in the draft and/or free agency and then use most of the money on an upgrade at another position like defensive end or linebacker. It doesn’t seem like Johnson has any intention of taking a paycut, and I expect him to be released. He’s still a playmaker in the Titans offense, but he simply isn’t good enough to deserve that kind of money.