The Texans have reportedly been pushing for superstar wide receiver Andre Johnson to take a pay cut. Johnson, who is set to make $21.5MM over the next two seasons, was supposedly open to the idea, according to his uncle, Andre Melton.
However, Johnson refuted the idea that he would be willing to take a pay cut to stay with the team, reports Tania Ganguli of ESPN (via Twitter).
“I don’t know where that story came from,” said Johnson. “I didn’t make that statement.”
The receiver said he and his uncle never discussed his willingness to accept a pay cut, according to Ganguli (via Twitter).
Today’s look at the AFC South..
- Legend has it that before Peyton Manning signed with the Broncos in March 2012, he told Johnson that he wanted to be a member of the Texans. Johnson wouldn’t confirm the story to Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle, but he did imply that it had some merit. “I’ve heard that he wanted to come play here,” Johnson said. “But I never really got the (full story), cause I’ve heard so many different things from different people. So the truth never really came out.” He added: “It wasn’t directly from him. It was from someone close to him.”
- If Johnson is willing to take a pay cut, the Texans star should wait for a resolution with Larry Fitzgerald‘s situation before doing anything, opines Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
- Cecil Shorts is hopeful he’ll be with the Jaguars in 2015 but realizes this weekend’s season finale could be his last game with the franchise, writes Hays Carlyon of The Florida-Times Union. “It’s been hard for me this season,” Shorts said. “For me, I had to really get into my faith. I couldn’t lean on my own understanding. I didn’t know why things were happening. I didn’t know why I kept getting hurt. So, I had to really get into my Bible, really pray and relax. I had to have peace, so I wouldn’t keep stressing about certain things. I had to stop pressing, relax and play.” The wide receiver has been a leader in the Jacksonville locker room, but injuries have held him back in recent years.
- Suspended Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon sold his Jacksonville area house, as Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union writes, which could be a sign that he’s not planning on a future with the team. It’s not known when Blackmon might be eligible for reinstatement but he remains under contract with the Jaguars.