According to a report from ESPN, the Tennessee Titans will be releasing running back Chris Johnson Friday. The Titans were said to be attempting to trade Johnson, but his reluctance to take a pay cut to accommodate a trade apparently lowered his trading block value.
Johnson has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons, including 2,006 yards in 2009 — the sixth-highest total in NFL history. But Johnson’s production has declined in recent seasons and he averaged a career-low 3.9 yards-per-carry in 2013.
Johnson has three years and $23 million remaining on the four-year, $54 mil extension he signed with Tennessee in 2011. Running backs historically see reduced production as they reach the age of 30 due to the wear-and-tear of carrying the football a high amount. Johnson turns 29 this September and also had off-season knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus.
For his career, Johnson has rushed 7,965 yards on 1,742 carries for a 4.6 YPC average and has scored 50 touchdowns. He has also caught 272 passes for and has added an additional eight receiving touchdowns.
-ALR
