One of the NFL’s home-run threats could be hitting the free-agent market this offseason.
Titans running back Chris Johnson, a speedster known for his explosive breakaway speed, is due $8 million next year, and at an introductory press conference for new coach Ken Whisenhunt, general manager Ruston Webster was non-committal about having Johnson back, according to The Tennessean.
Johnson’s production has tailed off in recent years. Last season, he ran for just 1,077 yards – his second-lowest total since entering the league in 2008 — and under four yards per carry while earning $10 million. The 28-year-old Johnson has said he won’t take a pay cut, according to the report, and would prefer to move on unless he was used “better,” meaning more carries.
The Titans signed former Jets running back Shonn Green to a three-year, $10 million deal last season. And if he had stayed healthy, odds are Greene would have gotten more than the 77 carries he received.
Webster also said he wants to change the “culture” on the team. An underperforming player who refuses to take a pay cut doesn’t seem to part of that new culture.