The Houston Texans are preparing to say goodbye to Andre Johnson in the coming days. The wide receiver is unhappy with the franchise and the team could use the salary cap space. The breakup was not how easier side likely saw this offseason going, but it will be the end result. Johnson wants to remain a large part of the offense and head coach Bill O'Brien has just about 40 snaps planned for the veteran. Once Johnson is gone, who will the team bring in as a replacement?
The Texans have given Johnson permission to seek a trade and will release him if nothing comes before free agency begins. Given Johnson's age and $16.1 million cap hit for 2015, a deal is not likely to come to Houston. The team will simply be forced to release him and pocket $8.825 million in savings. Johnson was thought to play his entire career with the franchise, but has expressed his unhappiness with the direction of the franchise and wants another shot at a Super Bowl before calling is a career. His departure leaves a big hole to fill on the roster.
With Johnson gone, DeAndre Hopkins now becomes the man for the offense. Hopkins has two years remaining on his contract at an affordable $2 million cap hit until 2017 and he now becomes the primary receiving threat. However, the Texans need more offensive fire power for whoever is at the quarterback position next year.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the Texans are bringing free agent Brian Hartline for a visit. Hartline was a salary cap casualty with the Miami Dolphins and is getting plenty of looks on the open market. He has visited with the Cleveland Browns and is expected to get interest from the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers as well. Hartline had a down season in 2014, but put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons prior to that. He is one of the more reliable slot receivers in the league and could be valuable for the Texans.
The chances Houston overspends on a receiver are slim. The team is unlikely to look at big names like Jeremy Maclin or Randall Cobb, but could be players for guys like Michael Crabtree, Hakeem Nicks or Harry Douglas. Hopkins is still young and needs another top player running alongside him. Any of those free agents could help replace Johnson while Houston likely grabs someone in the draft as well.
