National Football League

WR Johnson to be traded or cut, thanks Houston fans on Instagram

Published Mar. 2, 2015 11:03 p.m. ET

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After 12 years with the Texans, many of them as one of the best receivers in the NFL, Andre Johnson appears headed out of Houston.

FOX Sports 1 NFL Insider Mike Garafolo confirmed earlier reports Monday that Johnson and his agent have been given permission to seek a trade. If no deal can be put together, the 33-year-old will be released and free to sign with any team as a free agent.

The Houston Chronicle first reported the news.

To further cement the likelihood that Johnson's days as a Texan are indeed over, the seven-time Pro Bowler on Monday night posted to Instagram what sure feels like a goodbye to Space City.

The reigning best player on the Texans (and arguably best player in all of football) soon responded with the following tweet.

As stunning at the idea of Johnson on another team may be for many, the writing had been on the wall for such a move for some time. Prior to last season, the Texans were coming off a 2-14 season and Johnson expressed his lack of interest in playing through a rebuilding project in the latter years of his career. He did not attend voluntary workouts or mandatory minicamp last spring and summer, but did not hold out and played in 15 games for the 9-7 Texans, who entered Week 17 still alive for a playoff spot.

Johnson's 85 receptions led the team, but his 936 yards were nearly 300 fewer than fellow wideout DeAndre Hopkins and the fewest yards of Johnson's career in a season in which he played more than 13 games. The same could be said of his three TD catches, tied for third on the Texans.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Texans will save $8.82 million in cap space by cutting or trading Johnson, who reportedly wants to play at least two more seasons.

The longest-tenured Texan in franchise history, Johnson has played his entire career in Houston after being selected third overall out of Miami in 2003, just the second draft in the franchise's history. He is far and away the club's all-time leader in receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597), receiving touchdowns (64) and games played (169).

The 1,012 catches are ninth in NFL history and second among active players (Reggie Wayne has 1,070); with 303 more receiving yards, Johnson would pass Hall of Famer Cris Carter for 10th in league history in that category, as well.

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