Titans, Chris Johnson split about more than money
JimWyatt,
jwyatt@tennessean.com
It was a heck of a run for running back
Chris Johnson with the
Titans.
Six years, 7,965 rushing yards and 50 touchdowns later, he is a former Titan.
So why did the Titans decide to release him now, with three seasons left on his contract?
Performance, money, attitude and the desire to start fresh under a new coaching staff all played a role in the decision to move on without the franchise's third-leading rusher all-time.
Here's a look at some other questions as the curtain comes down on the CJ2K era in Tennessee:
How much salary-cap room did the Titans save by releasing Johnson?
He was scheduled to make $8 million base salary in 2014. The Titans won't have to pay it, of course, but he will count $4 million against the salary cap this season because of the prorated signing bonus money in the contract. Overall, the Titans save $6 million against the cap. Beginning next year, he is off the team's books.
What took the Titans so long to make a decision?
They wanted to exhaust all trade possibilities. They began shopping Johnson in March, received interest and at one point thought they'd be able to trade him. The Dolphins were in the mix, but then signed former Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno. The Jets, Giants, Falcons, Cowboys and Bills showed interest.
So did new coach Ken Whisenhunt not like Johnson?
Whisenhunt has said on plenty of occasions he respects Johnson and believes he's a good player. It's not that he didn't like Johnson. Whisenhunt's approach at running back will be different, however. He plans on distributing carries to a number of backs instead of relying on a workhorse. Johnson had said he wanted more touches, not fewer
Did the Titans ever ask Johnson to come back at a reduced salary?
Johnson was adamant that he had no plans to take a pay cut. That's what he told The Tennessean on two separate occasions. The Titans didn't make much of an attempt to change his mind, in part because of concerns about what his attitude might have been if he remained on the roster at a reduced salary. Plus, the Titans had questions about how many years of effectiveness he had left.
So what about Johnson's work ethic? Did he give the team trouble?
Johnson has yet to miss a start because of an injury. He rarely missed a practice. He didn't get in trouble with the law. He didn't have a bad attitude.
By all accounts, he's a good guy. Sometimes, however, Johnson rubbed team officials wrong because of what they felt was a questionable work ethic and laid-back approach. Let's put it this way: he wasn't the first guy in the meeting room. The team is trying to create a different culture.
So who will replace Johnson?
It will be running back by committee.
Shonn Greene returns, along with Jackie Battle and Leon Washington.
Dexter McCluster was signed the first day of free agency, and though he was primarily a receiver/returner for much of his time with the Chiefs, the Titans plan to line him up at running back. More help is needed, however. Although there aren't any great free-agent options left, the Titans are likely to pick a running back in the May 8-10 draft. Fresh legs are desired.
What running backs in the draft could provide help quickly?
There's not a back worthy of their first-round pick (11th overall), so barring a trade to move up in the order, the earliest the Titans would consider a running back would be in the second round (42nd overall). Auburn's
Tre Mason, who is a projected second-round pick, visited Saint Thomas Sports Park this week. Ohio State's Carlos Hyde is another top-rated back who could be available. West Virginia's Charles Sims is also on the radar — he's scheduled to visit the Titans this week.
How much money did Johnson make with the Titans?
A little more than $39 million by my calculations, including roughly $33 million over the last three seasons. He signed a four-year, $53.5 million extension in 2011 that added to his original contract that ran through 2012. After making $10 million base salary in 2013, however, he won't see the final three years, wiping out base salaries of $8 million (2014), $8 million (2015) and $7 million (2016). If he saved, he should be set financially.
So will Johnson make big money with his next team?
Don't bet on it. Running backs are not being paid well these days. They are being paid more like specialists, evidenced by all the modest free-agent deals this offseason. Johnson won't be out of work for long, but he will not get a big pay day. Don't be surprised if he ends up signing a one-year deal.
Where does Johnson rank among the Titans' all-time greats?
Eddie George,
Steve McNair and
Frank Wycheck are in the Ring of Honor at LP Field. Jevon Kearse and Derrick Mason, among others, are absent. I think Johnson deserves to be in there. His productivity was remarkable, and his 2,006-yard season in 2009 put him in extremely elite company. Could you write the history of the Titans without him?
Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.
Report: Chris Johnson’s work ethic irked Titans officials
Posted by Michael David Smith on April 6, 2014
Getty Images
The Titans’ decision to cut running back
Chris Johnson may have been at least in part a reflection of Johnson’s work ethic.
Although Johnson hasn’t had any major off-field incidents, Jim Wyatt of the
Tennessean reports that Johnson was cut because the team is
trying to create a different culture.
The issues involving Johnson generally involve, according to Wyatt, rubbing team officials the wrong way with a questionable work ethic and a laid-back attitude. New Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt wants the top players on his team to be the proverbial guys who are the first ones at the facility in the morning and the last to leave, and that’s not Johnson.
It’s important to point out, however, that Johnson managed a 2,006-yard season in 2009, and was given a huge new contract in 2011, despite what may have been a questionable work ethic. If Johnson were still playing the way he played a few years ago, the Titans would probably be willing to look past whatever issues there may be about his work ethic.
Ultimately, Johnson was cut because his production didn’t live up to his contract. When you’re a running back who averages 3.9 yards a carry and is due to make $8 million, your job won’t be safe no matter how hard you work.
