The Tennessee Titans have released running back Chris Johnson, ending a six-year stretch of excitement and disappointment for the franchise.
Johnson had been set to make $8 million for the 2014 season, reports The Tennessean. The Titans did try to trade for him, but after nearly a month, no deal could be worked out.
Titans general manager Ruston Webster thanked Johnson for his time with the Titans, noting how he broke records and provided fans with memories. “We have had an open dialogue with Chris' agent, Joel Segal, over the last few weeks, and we appreciate the patience and professionalism they have shown throughout this process,” Webster added. “We made an effort to trade Chris but were unable to do so. We wish Chris the best and thank him for the six seasons he spent with us.”
The decision followed a quiet year for Johnson, who ran for 1,077 yards and had a career-low average of 3.9 yards per carry. He is the No. 3 all-time rusher for the franchise with 7,965 years and is best remembered for his electrifying 2009 season, when he became only the sixth back to have a 2,000-yard season. But he failed to even come close to repeating that year in subsequent seasons.
Despite that, Johnson will likely find a home somewhere. A source for the New York Daily News claims that the New York Jets may be interested in signing the 28-year-old.