Texans WR Andre Johnson tells the Houston Chronicle that he’s well aware of the fact that the front office could ask him to take pay cut next season in order to be back with the team.
“Nobody wants to hear that,” said Johnson. “But it’s the nature of the business. I’ve seen it happen, heard it happen, had it happen to friends of mine. I understand that.”
Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report reported a few weeks ago that the Texans are likely to approach Johnson regarding a pay cut next year or they’ll ultimately release him.
However, Johnson has been optimistic about his situation and is hoping to finish out his career as a Texan.
“I hope it all works out, where I can finish my career here and hopefully get this organization a Super Bowl before I retire,” Johnson said. “If it doesn’t, then I’d hate to see it end that way. But you have to just keep moving forward.”
Johnson, 33, still has two years remaining on his seven-year, $62.7 million contract, which includes $48 million guaranteed. He’ll make base salaries of $10.5 million and $11 million over the final two years of the agreement.
Johnson’s remaining cap figures are $16,144,583 and $14.675 million, but the Texans would free up $8.825 million next year and another $12 million in 2016 if they were to release Johnson next year, according to OverTheCap.com’s calculator.
This season, Johnson has caught 75 passes for 802 yards receiving and two touchdowns over the course of 14 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 57 receiver out of 113 qualifying players.
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