Chris Johnson, threat with ball in hands, to be Released Next Week by career franchise, Tennessee Titans per Sources

Titans likely to release RB Chris Johnson next week

By Ryan Wilson | CBSSports.com
March 28, 2014 5:25 pm MT

Chris Johnson's tenure in Tennessee may be coming to an end. (USATSI)

One way or another, Chris Johnson almost certainly won't be with the Titans next month when the team reports for offseason workouts. Johnson was reportedly on the trade block in early March. And even with multiple teams interested in his services, his $8 million base salary in 2014 is prohibitive, which is why he'll likely be released, perhaps as soon as next week, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora.

As for possible landing spots, the Tennessean's Jim Wyatt thinks Johnson ends up with the Falcons, who signed 30-year-old Steven Jackson last offseason.

At the annual NFL meetings earlier this week, new Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said the team will continue to weigh their options with the 29-year-old Johnson, the team's 2008 first-round pick.

"This whole thing is a process," Whisenhunt said, via the Tennessean. "There's not a timetable on doing it. We're trying to do what's best for the team. We're certainly sensitive to try and resolve this whole deal sooner than later. It's just a process that you go through. I hope the fan base understands we're trying to do what's best for our team. All that matters is what we do on Sundays and winning those games."

A lot of running backs starting to find landing places. My bet on where #Titans RB Chris Johnson eventually ends up: #Falcons
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) March 28, 2014

Meanwhile, Johnson, who averaged a career-low 3.9 yards per carry last season, plans to show up for the Titans' offseason workouts that begin April 7.

"Yeah, I plan on being there," Johnson told the the Tennessean Tuesday. "If I haven't been traded or released by that time, I will show up in Nashville and be ready to go from day one with the team. There's been a lot of speculation about the future, and where I'll be. But I am under contract with the Tennessee Titans. That's my team. And whatever team I am with when the offseason program starts, that is where I am showing up.

"I want to run and lift with the team and do what I can to make the team better. If April 7 gets here and I am on the Tennessee roster, then I am going to show up ready to go."

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Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

+NFL Rumors: Jets Interested in +Tennessee Titans’ Chris Johnson

Published by Sam Spiegelman

After a relatively quiet offseason on the Chris Johnson front, the past two days have been jam-packed with rumors.

The newest team making a push for the former 2,000-yard rusher is the New York Jets. According to Rich Cimini of ESPN New York, Gang Green is expected to acquire a veteran running back, and the team has kept its eye on Johnson.

While the Jets may not be the perfect fit for Johnson, who is still confident in his ability to be a workhorse for a team, he could serve as a nice 1-2 punch with bruiser Chris Ivory, who the team acquired last offseason.

“The Jets are interested in acquiring a veteran, and the name to watch is Chris Johnson,” Cimini wrote. “Yeah, that Chris Johnson, who likely will be released by the Tennessee Titans. The Jets need speed, and Johnson has speed. I’m not sure he’d want to play for the Jets and be part of a committee, but I could see the Jets showing interest, depending on his price. He’d be a nice complement to Ivory, a thunder-and-lightning tandem.”

On Friday, Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean reported Johnson was most likely going to land with the Atlanta Falcons. Because of the $8 million Johnson is owed this coming season, the most likely scenario would include the Tennessee Titans releasing the veteran back. Then then +Atlanta Falcons could sign him as an unrestricted free agent.

Soon after that news surfaced, +CBS Sports Network' Jason La Canfora reported the Titans could cut Johnson as soon as next week. Because the aforementioned $8 million salary, finding a trading partner is extremely difficult. Johnson would have to be willing to take a pay cut in order to sign with the Falcons, who have about $8.7 million remaining in cap space. The +New York Jets are in a better financial position, with about $35.7 million available following the release of Mark Sanchez.

Johnson’s divorce with Tennessee has been speculated about since January, when the Tennessean reported the team was considering cutting him. Earlier in March, Pro Football Talk suggested the team put Johnson on the trading block.

Regardless, it seems as if the Johnson situation is close to coming to an end. If and when he is released, it seems as if Atlanta and New York are the two teams to keep an eye on.