The Andre Johnson trade rumors are starting to heat up for the Houston Texans and teams like the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Indianapolis Colts and NY Jets could be fits for the disgruntled star, as he has missed OTA workouts and has been absent from team activities and now he could be traded if he can't come to terms with new head coach Bill O'Brien and the chance that the team is rebuilding.
Johnson has not yet demanded a trade and is not asking for a new contract, but he has stayed away from all team activities this offseason and has yet to show up for OTA workouts. According to ESPN.com, Johnson spoke about a number of topics that shed some light on his situation, including about playing for his third head coach, missing the playoffs for most of his career and the idea of rebuilding after being a Super Bowl contender a couple years ago. Johnson is not asking to be traded, but at age 32 he wondered aloud whether Houston was still the right place for him.
The Texans went 2-14 last season after being a Super Bowl favorite a couple years ago and on top of the fact that they had the worst record in the league, the team didn't win a game past September, taking the first two and then losing the next 14 in a row. Although it happens in the NFL, a quick turnaround is unlikely since the team has Tom Savage, Case Keenum and Ryan Fitzpatrick as their main QB options and that could be another point of frustration of Johnson. Last season Johnson put up monster numbers despite playing with a bad Matt Schaub and an undrafted QB in Keenum and he ended up with 109 receptions for 1,407 yards and five scores and now he could be on his way out.
Johnson has been a good soldier in his years in Texas and now he may want out after the rough season in 2013. Johnson is getting older and likely wants to play for a winner and he has basically every franchise record for the Texans when it comes to receivers. The Patriots make sense if they can pull off the deal, while a trade with Oakland will get Johnson back with Schaub, but after last year that may not be the best move. Johnson will have to make a choice soon, as it will start costing him money to be away.
CBS Sports writes that the Patriots should step things up and trade for Johnson, as Tom Brady is getting older and needs more wideouts alongside Danny Amendola and young stars like Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson. The money would be tough to work out, but the report writes that it's possible, as the team could make some moves to get him in on the salary cap. The Texans have some options with Johnson, as he will be counting $4.6 million against the cap and $7.3 million in 2015 if he gets traded and if the team wants, they can try and figure out a team that has enough space to move with.
