As of Tuesday, it looked like a guarantee that Chris Johnson would be a member of the New York Jets. The running back had yet to take a visit with any teams after getting released by the Tennessee Titans, but finally earned a trip to the Big Apple. After a day of contract talks, Johnson left without a deal and is reportedly willing to wait until more money is offered.
According to Peter Botte of the New York Daily News, Johnson said he had a great visit with the Jets, but is taking things one day at a time. He noted that he is not ready to make a decision yet on where to play in 2014. The Daily News continues to say that money is the biggest issue in the negotiations. Johnson is coming off a contract that was supposed to pay him $8 million in 2014 and he is looking to earn that same amount elsewhere. That will not happen at this point in free agency.
The Jets are not willing to over spend on the veteran. The running back had a down year in 2013, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry, but he does have six straight seasons of 1,000 yards or more. Johnson has yet to miss a game in his career so he can be relied on, but no team is willing to give him the contract he is demanding.
The running back market is not good this year. Even players coming off career-high seasons are only earning one or two-year contracts at best, paying them $3-$4 million a season. If Johnson is lucky he could get a two-year deal worth somewhere around $3 million, but likely will not garner anything higher. The days of a running back signing for $8 million a season are over and unless he starts to realize that, Johnson will not sign anywhere.
The Jets are truly the perfect fit for the veteran. The team ranked sixth in the league in rushing with Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory. Johnson would likely take over for one of the two players and add speed to the rotation. Since Johnson insists on holding out, the Jets could easily pass on him very quickly. If New York pulls out of the race, where could the veteran land?
The best two options would be the Dallas Cowboys or the Atlanta Falcons. The Cowboys are looking for someone to help take part of the load from DeMarco Murray and Johnson would be an excellent change-of-pace back. The Falcons have been looking to add another running back to the rotation after Steven Jackson failed to stay healthy last season. Again, these possibilities will only happen if Johnson takes less money.
