Some have speculated that Bucs head coach Bruce Arians could make a play for his old pal David Johnson. However, if the Cardinals try to trade the running back, it’s unlikely that the Bucs will be in the mix, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears. 
The Cardinals have gone on the record to say that cutting Johnson is “not an option.” The running back is due $13MM/year on his monster contract and releasing him would saddle the team with a $16.2MM dead money hit. If he remains on the team, he’d carry a $14.1MM cap charge for the 2020 season.
Johnson’s was once one of the league’s very best running backs. But, thanks to ankle and back injuries, he’s looked nothing like his old self. Last year, the Cardinals limited his carries and acquired Kenyan Drake via trade before the deadline, further downsizing his role. Drake, meanwhile, is on course to be a free agent later this month.
Even if Drake returns, the Cardinals have not discounted the possibility of keeping Johnson as backfield reinforcement. Then again, they don’t have a whole lot of options. Johnson, simply put, is not the player he used to be, and his contract is an anchor.
Last year, Johnson missed time and averaged just 3.7 yards on 94 totes. His last big year came in 2016, when he earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro nods as he ran for 1,239 yards. Before that, he put his name on the map as a rookie by averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Go collect that money David. You are a Clinton RiverKing Iowa legend. Hope to see you around town sometime.
Go Hawks…and UNI! Boo Cyclones lol
I’ll root for the players that make it out of Iowa State and into the pros still. Thats it.
What part of Iowa you from?
Born in clinton. Raised across the river in erie, il. Lived in d-port. Right in the middle of frickn country. You too?
Manchester. Smack dap inbetween Dubuque and Waterloo on HWY 20. 30 mins west of the Field of Dreams in Dyersville.
If the Cards are going to sign Drake,all any team has to do is wait on Johnson to be released!! No way they’ll tie up that much salary cap at the RB position
His dead money hit would be higher than his cap charge. Why would they release him? It will cost them almost $2million more to cut him than to keep him
I’d like this site to be more specific and informative on contracts that are potentially traded.
Like ok 16mil in dead money, but over how many years? and how much would the acquiring team be responsible for?
Really dont want to pull up tabs of other websites because that information should all be included in the article to begin with
Agreed
No patience. Let him get his off-season in and he could bounce back. Try and trade him mid season to a team with an injury if he still doesn’t have it together. I’d love to see him bounce back.
Yes I agree. Let him properly heal. Who knows he may come back to his old self this season and shock everyone!
No ones going to have cap space for him mid season.
D.J. never got a fair shot under the new coach. He’s still a starting caliber back.
Texans should trade Will Fuller for David Johnson and a 5th round pick.
Fuller would give the Cards a solid WR which they need. He’s also young and would suit Murray and that team. He also saves the Cards a little bit of money which is key.
Texans also have a need at RB and although Fuller would be a loss they do have Hopkins, Stills and Coutee. Johnson would be a big upgrade at RB and his ball receiving style would suit Watson. They would have to take on some extra money this season but they would also get a pick and Fullers deal only went until the end of next season anyways