Sources: RB Chris Johnson released as expected by Titans, NY Jets have ...
The Jets' slow and steady march toward a revamped offense this offseason may include adding a former star running back who has lost his way in recent years.
The Titans' widely anticipated release of Chris Johnson on Friday raises the question whether the three-time Pro Bowler's next destination could be Rex Ryan's team. Sources told the Daily News this week that the Jets have some level of interest in the 28-year-old Johnson if the price is right.
General manager John Idzik's to-do list has included bolstering the backfield. The Jets made a serious run and had the inside track on Colts free-agent running back Donald Brown before he signed with the Chargers. Idzik also had interest and discussions with Maurice Jones-Drew's camp before the veteran inked a three-year deal with the Raiders.
The Titans had been actively shopping Johnson, who was scheduled to make $8 million in base salary and count $10 million against the 2014 cap. The team's offseason workout program will begin on Monday, leaving a de facto deadline for the team to make a decision on their former bell cow's future.
Johnson, who had knee surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus that bothered him for much of last season, has had a steady decline in production since signing a four-year, $53.5 million extension in 2011.
The player formerly known as CJ2K rushed for more than a 1,000 yards for the sixth consecutive season in 2013, but had a career-low 3.9 yards per carry. Johnson was scheduled to take a physical at the Titans facility on Friday before parting ways with Tennessee.
The Jets, who have the second-most amount of money available under the cap at about $29 million, have taken a judicious approach during free agency. Although Johnson's production has dipped in recent years, he would be a good addition to the Jets' backfield with Chris Ivory. A Johnson-Ivory tandem would be an improvement from last season.
The biggest question will be Johnson's price tag. The depressed free-agent running back market this offseason suggests that Johnson is in line to get $3-$4 million annually. Brown and Toby Gerhart each received $3.5 annually in their respective three-year deals. Jones-Drew's three-year pact with Oakland is for $7.5 million. Ben Tate signed a two-year contract with the Browns.
The Jets only have $3.43 million in base salary allotted to running backs Ivory, Bilal Powell and Mike Goodson for 2014. Their collective cap number is just $4.55 million. Johnson's arrival could make Goodson, who is still dealing with legal issues stemming from an arrest last summer, expendable.
Ivory rushed for 833 yards in his first season with the Jets, but he still has durability concerns. The bruising back was hampered by hamstring issues in training camp and suffered a cracked rib and hip pointer in the season finale against the Dolphins. Johnson has played 16 games for five consecutive seasons.
Johnson, a first-round pick in 2008, may not be the same dynamic home run hitter with the 4.24 40-yard speed that he was coming out of college, but he's still dangerous in open spaces. A shaky offensive line in Tennessee may have contributed to his statistical dip. Some believe that the lack of holes turned him into a more hesitant runner.
The 5-11, 208-pound Johnson has not been able to reproduce his magical 2009 season that included 2,006 rushing yards, 2,509 total yards and 16 total touchdowns.
It's unclear what the market for Johnson will be, but the Rams, led by Johnson's former coach Jeff Fisher, and Cowboys might make some sense too. He would be a quality addition for the Rex & Co., who need as many playmakers as they can get.
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