Negotiations Improving Between Johnson and the Titans
It appears that Chris Johnson’s decision to boycott the team’s offseason workouts are about to pay off. Reports are indicating that negotiations between Johnson and the Tennessee Titans are going much better and many are expecting a long-term deal to be reached by the time training camps get underway.
There’s no doubt that Chris Johnson deserves a better contract. From his first touch of a football in the NFL, he has shown nothing but promise and has been the Titans most productive and consistent player.
Johnson began in his rookie season as LenDale White’s backup. He slowly worked his way up to being the number one back and the Titans even traded White following last season because White was unhappy with his playing time.
Johnson is now not only the Titans number one back, but their number one player. Following last season, Johnson has earned the right to say he should be the highest paid player on the team, as well as being the highest paid back in the league.
What he is earning now is nowhere near what a player with his production should make in the NFL. Last season, Johnson became only the sixth player in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards rushing in a season with 2,006. He also scored 14 touchdowns and broke Marshall Faulk’s single season record of yards from scrimmage with 2,509 yards. Johnson was also named the Top Offensive Player of 2009, and rightfully so.
Obviously, there’s the possibility that Johnson won’t be able to duplicate what he did last season. There have been players that enjoy one great year and are done, but Johnson has only played two years in the NFL and holds the record for the 40 yard dash with a 4.24. The possibilities for him are endless as he may have his very best seasons ahead of him.
Presently, Johnson is making $550,000 a year from his rookie contract, on which he has three years left. Johnson no longer wants to make that kind of money: “I can't play for $550,000. The money that I am playing for, I am getting paid less than the starting 11 (on offense) and I'm one of the lowest paid starting running backs in the league.” he said.
Keeping Johnson around for a long time is what the Titans should do. Johnson should have at least five more great years in him and the Titans could use him for that time. With Vince Young and Johnson in the same backfield, it is a dangerous combination. Also, as the Titans need to find a number one receiver, Johnson is their most lethal weapon on offence.
Johnson skipped all the OTA’s this offseason while boycotting for a new contract, but he has continued to work out by himself. Training camp will start at the end of the month and the Titans will need Johnson there. That is possibly why negotiations are improving now.
In all fairness to the Titans organization though, the current CBA agreement does not allow for a pay increase of more than 30%, and with the CBA expiring this offseason, Tennessee was put in a tough spot. They will likely pay Johnson the rest of his desired salary through signing bonuses and so forth.
Sorry NFL, the Titans will not part with their best player as Chris Johnson may likely be their franchise player, although it was expected to be Vince Young. The 2010 season will likely show the Titans where they stand with Young and Johnson. This is the year for the two to emerge as a one-two punch for the Titans’ offence and truly become the faces of the franchise.
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