Say what you will about the 2014 Jets, but they’re not lacking star power. Earlier today, the Jets inked Chris Johnson to a two-year, $8MM deal with an additional $1MM possible through incentives. The Jets also managed to negotiate a team option in the deal, giving them the ability to hit the eject button in February 2015 if things don’t work out as planned. Here’s a look at some of the reaction to Johnson joining up with Gang Green..
- The running back told Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean (on Twitter) that he has “a fresh start” and will “go out there with a chip on my shoulder.” Even though the Titans didn’t “want him anymore” and he’s sad to be leaving them, he’s very excited to come to New York and join forces with a team “on the rise.” Johnson added that the Titans never asked him to take a pay cut or to restructure his contract to stay (All links going to Twitter).
- Given Johnson’s late entry to the market and the ongoing devaluation of the tailback position, it’s a very good deal for Johnson, opines Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. It’s also a good deal for the Jets, who were criticized for not closing the deal with Donald Brown early in free agency. They wound up getting a much better player for not much more money than Brown received in San Diego.
- More from Florio, who adds that the money given to Johnson strongly suggests he’ll be the feature back in New York. Johnson will make $4MM in 2014 while incumbent Chris Ivory will earn $1MM. Also in the mix is Bilal Powell, who will earn $1.4MM in ’14.
- Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com gives a few thoughts on the Jets‘ signing of Johnson. The move, he writes, gives the Jets some much needed star power on offense. While his recent slippage is cause for concern, CJ knows how to score, with 58 career touchdowns.
- With Johnson, Michael Vick, and Eric Decker in the fold, Field Yates of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req’d) looks into his crystal ball to see what the Jets’ offense will look like this season.
- Johnson is a good fit for the Jets, just not a dynamic one, writes Steve Serby of the New York Post.
- Andy Benoit of Sports Illustrated says the Jets can’t realistically expect to get the same superstar that Johnson was for so many years in Tennessee.