Fansided

Andre Johnson Trade Partners: Browns, Patriots in the mix?

By Zack Kelberman

Dec 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) warms up before the game against the Denver Broncos at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports /

HOUSTON TEXANS

The final option is a bit anticlimactic — sorry to get your hopes up — but it’s the most probable one after all.

Smartly opting against setting a dangerous precedent, Houston has already said Johnson will not be traded. Doing so would leave Houston with $11.96 million in dead cap money, which is not smart business for a franchise in transition. The Texans also hold most of the leverage; Johnson stands to lose a ton of money should he skip camp and any regular season games.

It would be a minor upset if they caved to Johnson’s demands, especially considering they don’t have an adequate replacement on the roster. (Sorry, Keyshawn Martin). A one-two punch of Johnson and talent-laden DeAndre Hopkins is formidable enough for starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Expect both sides to ultimately come to an understanding at some point, keeping Johnson in the only NFL home he’s known.

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