Chris Johnson’s Salary Is Now Fully Guaranteed

Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reports that RB Chris Johnson‘s 2012 salary of $8 million has become fully guaranteed now that it’s past the fifth day of the new league year.

Months ago, rumors surfaced that the Titans could cut Johnson after he got off to a rather underwhelming start to the 2011 season. Had Tennessee released Johnson prior to the fifth day of the new league year, they would have prevented themselves from paying the majority of his $53.5 million contract, but without an obvious replacement in place, it makes sense for them to repair their terrible offensive line and keep Johnson in their backfield.

If he continues to struggle next season, the Titans could always release him before the fifth day of the 2013 season which would prevent them from paying his $9 million guaranteed contract.