While Duke Johnson is out of the Texans’ 2021 picture, they still have David Johnson under contract. And the former All-Pro’s cap number is down nearly $3MM from where it was in 2020.
However, the Texans still want to reduce their starter’s cap number, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle notes. Entering the final season of his Cardinals-constructed contract, Johnson is set to count $8.5MM against the Texans’ 2021 cap. That number is sixth among running backs.
The Texans made David Johnson the centerpiece of a trade most observers immediately criticized, when they acquired him in a deal that sent DeAndre Hopkins to the Cards. But Nick Caserio obviously was not involved in that controversial swap. The new GM has already cut several starters or key contributions — including Duke Johnson, Nick Martin and J.J. Watt — so seeing the Texans attempt to save $6MM-plus by cutting David Johnson would be especially surprising.
In his first Texans season, David Johnson amassed 1,005 scrimmage yards in 12 games. Johnson, who spent time on IR because of a concussion, also upped his per-carry average from 3.7 in his final Arizona season to 4.7 in 2020. Despite entering the NFL in 2015, Johnson will turn 30 this year.
The six-year veteran has $2.1MM guaranteed left on his contract and would be interested in staying with the Texans for a second season, per Wilson. He may need to agree to a pay cut to do so, though the parties could agree to an extension that would reduce his 2021 cap figure.
The contract isn’t that bad. Keep him, play the run game, hope for best, and trade him mid season if your team isn’t panning out.
No team would trade for Johnson without money and picks going back to them. He’s 30 owed 8.7 million and ran for less than 700 yards. Better to cut him and move on.
Make the deal 5mil fully guaranteed with a team option for another season. Texans save 3mil this year and can cut him next year. Johnson gets to know he’s getting 5mil and not cut and possibly can stay on a decent deal too
Hilarious how sound of solutions simple fans could come up with in minutes. Why is this news fi(tf)o
Not worth the extra 3 million. He has no burst. Better to play a younger back or draft a Diamond in the rough and see what you got.
He wouldn’t be too bad if he ran behind a decent oline
He might be turning 30 but he really doesn’t have much wear and tear on those legs at all. He’s more fresh than zeke who’s 4 or 5 years younger
The want to adjust the part of the deal where they traded Hopkins for him.