Kansas City Chiefs Smart To Keep Derrick Johnson

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson is in the final year of his contract and some rumors have been flying around that he may be cut to save cap room. According to Marc Sessler of NFL.com, Johnson is due $5.2 million this year. That is pennies for the sort of production that a player of Johnson’s caliber and that is why they should keep him around and allow him to see out his contract.

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The 32 year old Johnson was drafted 15th overall in 2005 out of Texas and has been a revelation ever since. His rookie year he had 96 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles and was chosen by the Chiefs as the team’s rookie of the year. In the years since he has been the heart of the Chiefs defense and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times (2011, 2012, 2013).

In each of those Pro Bowl seasons, including 2010, Johnson topped 100 tackles and matched career highs in sacks and interceptions. He was clearly in the prime of his career and he looked ready to continue his excellent form in 2014 after a strong preseason. Unfortunately he suffered an Achilles injury in week 1 against the Tennessee Titans and was place on injured reserve.

Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Derrick Johnson (56) on the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 41-39. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

His replacement Josh Mauga played admirably and finished with 103 tackles on a unit that was top 10 in the league. How much of that should be credited to Mauga is unclear considering the level of talent he was surrounded by and the great players across the Chief’s defensive line. Mauga was not the playmaker Johnson was as he forced no turnovers and was only credit with half a sack on the season. The Nevada product was also often victimized in space and was not as good in the open field as Johnson was.

One play in particular that stood out was Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray’s 90 yard touchdown scamper in the game that effectively ended Kansas City’s playoff hopes. Mauga completely whiffs on the tackle and what should have been a routine 3-4 yard run becomes a momentum swinger and the biggest play of Oakland’s season.

What Johnson brings to the table that Mauga does not is his veteran leadership. The Chiefs defense lost a leader in Eric Berry and they overcame the loss of Johnson but this is a unit in transition as several players including CB Sean Smith are in the final years of their contract. The window may be closing on the Kansas City defense but Derrick Johnson and co. will be fighting to keep it open as long as possible.

Johnson’s salary of $5 million is excellent value as he will be the 16th highest paid inside linebacker according to overthecap.com. Names like Curtis Lofton, Karlos Dansby, and other players who have not been as productive as Johnson are making much more while providing less value on and off the field. If Derrick Johnson is willing to renegotiate his contract to help out the Kansas City Chiefs then more power to him, but as it stands at his current salary and potential production, the Chiefs would be smart to keep him on the roster.

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