San Francisco 49ers rumors: Stevie Johnson in danger of being cut?
The No. 3 job with the San Francisco 49ers is up for grabs with Stevie Johnson battling Quinton Patton who could be passing him on the depth chart, which has led to rumors that the former Buffalo Bills receiver could be released. According to 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, he feels pretty good about Johnson’s place on the 53-man roster.
Jim Harbaugh said he feels good about WR Stevie Johnson being on 49ers' 53-man roster.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 25, 2014
San Francisco gave up a fourth round draft pick to acquire Johnson from Buffalo with the hopes he could be the team’s No. 3 receiver and complement Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree in addition to Pro Bowl tight end Vernon Davis.
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Patton was was a great value pick for the club in last year’s draft and started over Johnson as the No. 3 in the third preseason game which led to the rumors the veteran Johnson who has an escalating salary could be in danger of being cut.
According to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, Johnson is scheduled to make $3.925 million this year and more than $6 million for the remaining two years of his contract.
Johnson is a proven veteran and Patton is the unknown second-year player who makes peanuts compared to Johnson’s veteran salary. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, could they afford to play it cheap and cut the proven commodity?
With Buffalo last year, Johnson had 52 receptions for 597 yards and three touchdowns, numbers down from the 79-1,046-6 stat line he produced in 2012.