Chris Johnson won’t be featured running back for New York Jets
The New York Jets made a big splash with the signing of former 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson in free agency this offseason, but the former Tennessee Titans running back will not be in line for a featured role with the Jets at the start of the year.
More from College Football
- Jim Harbaugh facing 4-game suspension over NCAA violations
- College football neutral site games in 2023: Full list
- College GameDay announces surprise Week 1 destination
- College football analyst warns Oklahoma that Texas is doing better prep for SEC
- College Football Playoff national championship game locations for 2024, 2025 and beyond
Jets head coach Rex Ryan announced on Tuesday that he envisions a running back by committee approach with Johnson, Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory.
“I definitely think it’s going to be a committee approach,” Ryan said, according to the New York Daily News.
This is the plan to begin the preseason and is subject to change, but it gives you an inclination that Ryan wants to keep Johnson fresh throughout the season and have his rare speed on display deep into December.
The between-the-tackles running ability of Powell and Ivory can wear down defenses and Johnson can come in and hit the edge and use his fresh legs against a battered and bruised defense to break off a few of his patented 50-plus yard touchdown runs he made common during his time in Nashville.
That plan sounds all well and good, but it is not going to sit well with Johnson who wants the lion’s share of carries and to be the featured ball carrier in the Jets offense.
“Once the season starts and once we’re playing and I’m doing my thing, I’m pretty sure if I’m making plays they’re going to want to keep handing the ball off to me,” Johnson told Around the League last month. “If they want me to continue making plays, I’m pretty sure I can’t do that if I’m on the sideline.”