Adam Schefter reports the Chiefs ILB Derrick Johnson plans to return to the team next year, despite suffering a ruptured left Achilles tendon last Thursday night.
This came just two years after Johnson tore his right Achilles. However, a source tells Schefter that Johnson isn’t considering retirement at all and plans to play again.
“I wouldn’t bet against him ever,” said a source close to the situation. “Everyone did two years ago and I would expect to see him back out there again. He’s not even thinking about [retiring]. All he’s thinking about is getting back out there.”
According to Schefter, Johnson had played the past few weeks with a sore left Achilles that had been affecting him in practice and during games. Unfortunately, the ligament gave out in the win over the Raiders and will cost him the remainder of the season.
Johnson, 34, is a former first-round pick of the Chiefs back in 2005. He’s currently in the first year of his three-year, $21 million contract that includes $9.75 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $1.5 million and $4.75 million over the next two years.
In 2016, Johnson appeared in 13 games and recorded 90 tackles, one sack, an interception returned for a touchdown and three pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 21 linebacker out of 89 qualifying players.
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