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NFL Free Agency Rumors: Will Texans cut Andre Johnson?

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Andre Johnson is the all-time leading receiver in Houston Texans history, but the time may be now for the two to part ways with his salary and age increasing and his production decreasing.

It is a dangerous time to be an aging NFL veteran with a hefty contract with the start of free agency looming as teams look to cut dollars to get under he salary cap. Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson could be a future Hall of Famer, but that won’t make him immune to possibly being released this offseason.

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Johnson turns 34 in July and is coming off his worst yards-per-game average in nine years after averaging 62.4 yards per game after catching 85 passes for 936 yards and three touchdowns in 2014. Granted, the Texans have had issues at quarterback, but Johnson’s yards-per-catch average has decreased three straight seasons to 11 this season, .1 yards better than a career-low.

His diminished production is one reason he could be cut, but the biggest impediment to him returning to Houston for a 13th season with the franchise that drafted him third overall in the 2003 NFL Draft is his $16 million cap number.

According to CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora, he isn’t convinced Johnson’s future is in Houston.

"Johnson is once again determining a sense of where the organization is going, how close they are to winning, and where he fits in. Things got a little testy last year, with Johnson wanting a trade, and while it has gone on under the surface this season, the reality is Johnson is not getting any younger and carries a hefty $10.5M base salary and $16M cap number. Just converting his base salary to bonus and pushing the cap burden into the future might not be what’s best for Houston, while Johnson is no longer the go-to receiver there. I’m not convinced his future is in Houston, but time will tell."

Johnson has led the NFL in receptions and yards twice and is only one year removed from a 109-catch, 1,407-yard season, so if he hits the open market and is released this offseason you can expect him to be scooped up quickly by a Super Bowl-caliber team needing a veteran receiver to push them over the top.

Would the Seattle Seahawks be a fit?

As La Canfora wrote, only time will tell, but it looks like Johnson’s time in Houston is winding down on a brilliant tenure with the franchise.

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