The NY Jets are hosting free agent Chris Johnson this week and the team has been consistently interested in the Titans running back, including when Tennessee was trying to trade him and now New York has the inside track with teams like the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings also interested in signing the released star.
Johnson hits the market after an extremely productive career with the Titans and while his stats have suffered a bit over the past two seasons, he has gone over 1,000 yards in each of his six seasons in the NFL. According to ESPN.com, the Jets are hosting Johnson this week and it comes after he previously was connected to the team when the Titans were shopping him in trades and now he could sign with the Jets ahead of the NFL draft, which is later this year in May and because of the later date, teams may jump on Johnson soon. The 29 year old is a former Pro Bowl player and he would be a great option alongside Chris Ivory, who is more of a bruising back for NY.
Johnson has been very consistent in his career, rushing for over 1,000 yards in every season he has been in the NFL, but he is coming off of a year when he rushed for a career low 3.9 yards per carry and that was the lowest of his career. Johnson broke out with over 2,000 yards in his second season but he has never been able to live up to that season again. Last season Johnson had 1,077 yards and six touchdowns and over the past two seasons he has scored 12, compared to him getting 11 and 14 in back to back seasons in 2009-10 and now he could be an option for the Jets.
The Jets were interested in adding DeSean Jackson in the offseason as well and now they are battling with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons for Johnson's services. Johnson set a record at the combine with his forty time and then was taken with the 24th pick in the draft by the Titans and now the two sides have split. Johnson signed a four-year, $54 million contract extension with the team, but he had been at odds with them once again and the Titans also reportedly did not like his work ethic.
Johnson now could sign ahead of the draft, as some teams may be waiting to see who they can get at the position, as there is a deep class this year. This season Carlos Hyde, Tre Mason, Andre Williams and Ka'Deem Carey all are coming out of college football and they could be options for teams if they miss on Johnson. The Titans star still has gas in the tank and is one of the faster backs for his age and he could be a very good option for the Jets on offense.
