Texans

Texans Give Andre Johnson Permission To Seek Trade, Will Be Cut If No Deal Is Found

March 2, 2015

Update:

Andre Johnson said goodbye to the city of Houston on his Instagram account Monday night.

Thank you Houston for a wonderful 12 years. And a special thanks to all the fans who have supported me throughout my career. #TeamEighty

A video posted by Andre Johnson (@ajohnson1500) on Mar 2, 2015 at 5:44pm PST

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John McClain of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Texans have given veteran WR Andre Johnson permission to seek a trade out of Houston.

Mark Berman of MyFoxHouston.com also had the report.

According to McClain, the Texans informed Johnson that he will have a reduced role next season and he asked to either be traded or released.

McClain adds that taking a reduced role in the team’s offense would also result in him taking less than his $10.5 million base salary. The two sides reportedly did not discuss his contract during the meeting.

In the event that Johnson is not able to find a trade, he will be cut and get the opportunity to sign with a team of his choosing, according to McClain.

There was talk that Johnson could be on the chopping block this offseason, so this probably isn’t a huge surprise. He’s clearly the best player in the franchises history and deserves the opportunity to chase a title if he can land with a contending team.

In regards to potential replacements, McClain suggests that they should consider guys like Randall Cobb and Jeremy Maclin in free agency. Finding an adequate replacement to Johnson is now the Texans ‘ top priority, according to McClain.

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 him, according to OverTheCap.com’s calculator.

In 2014, Johnson has caught 85 passes for 936 yards receiving and three touchdowns over the course of 15 games. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 40 receiver out of 110 qualifying players.