It appears Andre Johnson's career with the Houston Texans may soon come to a close.
First reported by the Houston Chronicle, the Texans has given Johnson's agent, Kennard McGuire, permission to seek a trade. If a deal can not be worked out, the 12-year receiver will be released and free to negotiate with any NFL team.
Houston had wanted to keep Johnson with the team, but in a reduced role, something that the longest-tenured Texan wasn't willing to do as he asked to be traded or cut.
Johnson is due to make $10.5 million base salary in his current contract along with a $1 million workout bonus in 2015. In 2016, the last year of his contract, he is scheduled to make $11 million base salary along another $1 million bonus. If Johnson were to take a reduced role with the team, it would possibly mean a reduction in salary as well.
If or when Johnson is traded or cut, the Texans will save $8.825 million against the cap, putting the team $21.9 million under the salary cap for 2015. Part of that money could be spent on another wide receiver in the free agent market with Randall Cobb or Jeremy Maclin both being possible suitors. Houston could also look towards finding a replacement in the draft with several top receivers coming out of college as the position becomes top priority in the offseason.
Despite still being under contract technically with the Texans, Johnson took to social media to thank Houston fans for a "wonderful 12 years."
The new face of the Texans, defensive end J.J. Watt, responded with his own tribute to Johnson's time in Houston.
Legend. pic.twitter.com/24C6ISZBJC
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 3, 2015
Johnson, the No. 3 overall draft pick by the Texans in 2003, is currently ninth in NFL history in receptions with 1,012 and has 13,597 career receiving yards and 64 touchdowns. Last season, he caught 85 passes for 936 yards along with three touchdowns.
Follow Shawn Ramsey on Twitter: @ShawnPRamsey
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