Report: Bills Interest In RB Chris Johnson Has Been Overstated

April 6, 2014

Update:

A Bills source tells Tim Graham of the Buffalo News that the Titans were the ones to reach out regarding a potential trade for RB Chris Johnson, however, the Bills weren’t interested in a deal.

Graham’s source believes the Titans floated the Bills as a potential trade partner so that they could make look like they tried to move Johnson rather than just cutting him loose.

The Dolphins, Falcons and Jets were reportedly among the teams to reach out to Tennessee regarding a potential trade, but it appears that the overall amount of interest in Johnson could be overstated.

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.

We have him listed as the No. 1 player in our Best Available Free Agents list.

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Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, citing people familiar with the situation, reports that the Rams are unlikely to be an option for free agent RB Chris Johnson.

Thomas adds that the Rams signing Johnson isn’t impossible, but “there doesn’t seem to be much if any interest in Johnson at Rams Park.“
According to Thomas, St. Louis are happy with their current backfield ans especially Zac Stacey.

The Rams seemed like an option based on the fact that they have signed numerous former Titans including Cortland Finnegan, Jared Cook and Kenny Britt in recent years, which can obviously be attributed to Jeff Fisher being their head coach.

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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports that free agent RB Chris Johnson is “currently expected” to sign with his next team by the “middle of next week.”

Florio adds that it remains unclear which team he’ll be signing with, but mentions that the Jets appear to be the “strongest link.”
According to Florio, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Johnson sign a one-year contract worth close to $3.5 million.

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Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, citing team sources, reports that the Cowboys have “no interest” in recently released RB Chris Johnson.

Hills suggests that everyone should “pump your brakes” on the idea of Johnson playing for the Cowboys.

Previous reports mentioned that Dallas was among the teams with interest in Johnson, but it appears as though we can rule this idea out for the time being.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Bills, Dolphins, Falcons and Jets all discussed a potential Chris Johnson trade with the Titans.

However, all four teams ultimately declined to pursue a trade, according to Schefter.
Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com reports that the Bills and Dolphins were the “top suitors” for Johnson.
Kuharsky can’t see Johnson wanting to play for the Bills and he could have concerns regarding the Dolphins offensive line.

The Jets and Falcons have been mentioned as speculative options for Johnson for a few weeks now, but it was unlikely that any team was going to be willing to part with draft compensation in return for Johnson.

The Cowboys and Giants have also come up as teams who could have interest in Johnson now that he’s a free agent.

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Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports that the Jets have “some level of interest” in soon-to-be free agent RB Chris Johnson.

However, Mehta source added that the team’s interest in Johnson would depend on “if the price is right.”

This fits with the Jets offseason strategy given that they have been connected to a number of free agents, but haven’t shown a willingness to overpay, or even get into a bidding war for veteran players.

Mike Garafolo mentioned that the Cowboys and Giants were two other teams expected to have interest in Johnson, but he has “pumped the brakes” on this report.

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Reports from Thursday night have confirmed that veteran RB Chris Johnson is on his way to meet with Titans GM Ruston Webster and is expected to be released sometime Friday.

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports confirms this news and adds that the Cowboys, Giants and Jets reached out the Titans regarding Johnson in recent weeks and are expected to show interest in him once he’s a free agent.

Garafolo mentions that Johnson is likely to command a salary of close to $3 million, which is a much more manageable figure than his current $8 million salary.

The Falcons have also come up as a potential landing spot for Johnson.

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).