Houston Texans: Andre Johnson will be traded or cut

Andre Johnson is the face of the Houston Texans.

Soon we could be saying that he was the face of the Houston Texans.

According to a report from John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, Andre Johnson was told by the Houston Texans that he would see his role reduced next season, and if the team is unable to trade him, he will be released after 12 seasons with the organization.

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The term “reduced role” likely runs deeper than the playing field, as the Texans may have been asking Johnson to re-structure a contract that includes a cap hit of over $16 million in 2015. The younger DeAndre Hopkins burst onto the scene as a bonafide number-one receiver last season, but Johnson’s absence will create an immediate hole at wide receiver and force the Texans to strongly consider the position with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Johnson will leave the Texans as one of the greatest receivers to ever play the game, topping 1,000 yards in seven of his twelve seasons and topping 100 receptions on five occasions. As the third overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, Andre Johnson’s greatest achievement may be the consistency of his stardom on a roster that often lacked stability and talent at quarterback.

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) makes a reception during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The seven-time Pro Bowler sits ninth all-time in NFL history with 1,012 receptions and 12th all-time with 13,597 receiving yards. Although the 34-year old seemed to be slipping out of his prime in 2014, he is just one year removed from back-to-back 1,400-yard seasons. If Houston fails to trade Johnson and his contract, he’ll have no problem finding a new home on the free agent market.

This is a big loss for the Texans, both on the field and in the community, but it represents a very exciting opportunity for a future Hall of Fame receiver who has appeared in just four career playoff games. For Johnson, it may finally be time to chase a Super Bowl championship.

With Houston’s trade leverage torpedoed by the publication of this news, the likely scenario that I see unfolding is a straight release, which is ideal for Johnson. While teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and several others could both use a top receiver and conceivably crack the playoffs next season, the defending champions may be the perfect landing spot.

When Johnson mulled a holdout last offseason, the New England Patriots were often raised as a potential suitor, and I don’t think that has changed. His days as a clear-cut number one may be behind him, but he could make for a lethal threat playing alongside Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell. On a two-year contract, Tom Brady would be thrilled with his new toy and Johnson would be thrilled to have a quarterback.

Unfortunately, this situation is yet another case of a franchise player who is unlikely to play his entire career with one organization. Without much share of the national spotlight, Johnson existed quietly for over a decade as one of the NFL’s giants. Although it will have to come in different colors, Johnson may finally have his chance to make a Super Bowl run before calling it a career.

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