Chris Johnson To Meet With Titans GM Friday, Expected To Be Released

Update:

Titans RB Chris Johnson announced via his Twitter account Thursday night that he’s on his way to Tennessee.

On my way! To Tennessee but stuck n airport as I tweet #SMH

— Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson28) April 4, 2014

Jim Wyatt reports that Johnson will meet with the Titans GM Ruston Webster tomorrow.

• Wyatt adds that Johnson is expected to undergo a physical on Friday and be released afterwards.

Multiple reports have mentioned that Johnson is expected to be released in the coming days, so it doesn’t come as much of surprise that he could be cut loose before the start of the weekend.

The Titans have reportedly been shopping Johnson around the league in order to recoup some value for him, but it appears as though NFL teams would only be interested in bringing him in if his salary were to be reduced.

Johnson, 28, still has three years remaining on his six-year, $55.26 million contract to go along with base salaries of $8 million (2014), $7 million (2015) and another $7 million (2016).

Johnson opted to play through a meniscus tear he suffered back in Week 3, which probably contributed to his career-worst 3.9 yards-per-carry average last season. He managed to go over the 1,000-yard-mark for the sixth consecutive season and contributed 10 total touchdowns in 2013.

The Jets and Falcons have come up as potential landing spots for Johnson.

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Joel Segal, the agent for Titans RB Chris Johnson, tells SiriusXM NFL Radio that he spoke with Tennessee Wednesday and “it’s a matter of time before Chris won’t be with the Titans.”

• Segal mentioned that he’s still unsure whether Johnson will released or traded, per Alex Marvez.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL.com is now reporting that the Titans release of RB Chris Johnson is “impending“.

• Rapoport adds that it “should happen” this week or at the beginning of next week.

All signs continue to point towards the eventual release of Johnson, meaning Tennessee was unable to find a trade partner for the veteran back.

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports mentions that he still expects the Titans to release veteran Chris Johnson at some point this week.

• La Canfora expects the Jets to show interest should Johnson be available and sees them as a “strong fit.”

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ESPN’s Ed Werder reports that the Titans are currently in talks with “several teams” regarding a Chris Johnson trade.

• Werder mentions that the recent signings of Knowshon Moreno, Maurice Jones-Drew and LeGarrette Blount have apparently led to more interest in Johnson.

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Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the Jets have “some level of interest” in Titans RB Chris Johnson.

The Titans are reportedly shopping Johnson around the league, but there is a decent enough chance that the Jets could wait them out as they are expected to release Johnson in the coming months.

According to Mehta, the Jets had Donald Brown as the No. 1 running back target in free agency, and despite reportedly having the “inside track” to sign him, Brown ultimately agreed to terms with the Chargers.

Johnson would be a decent compliment to Chris Ivory who is more of a between-the-tackles runner.

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Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean previously mentioned that he believes veteran RB Chris Johnson will “eventually” end up with the Falcons.

However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports that Falcons currently have “no interest” in Johnson.

For the past two offseasons, there has been speculation and reports that Johnson would be either released or traded, and that idea has only gained momentum since it was first mentioned.

Florio mentions that the Titans are expected to make a decision regarding Johnson’s future prior to the start of the team’s offseason program.

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Rich Cimini of ESPN New York mentioned in Saturday’s mailbag that he expects the Jets to pursue veteran RB Chris Johnson if/when the Titans release him in the coming weeks.

According to Cimini, the Jets are still interested in acquiring a veteran running back and could someone who with a decent amount of speed.

Cimini cautions that Johnson’s asking price could be an issue, but he still expects the Jets to show interest.

• Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that it is “very likely” the Titans will release Johnson within the next week.
• La Canfora added that Johnson is expected to draw “strong interest” as a free agent.