One more team out of CJ2K Running

3 teams are front-runners. And 1 more is now out of the mix. CJ2K Tracker (via @NFL_ATL): http://t.co/FRNM4g5SNb pic.twitter.com/IISaLhq3yd

— NFL (@nfl) April 7, 2014

Now that the Tennessee Titans have pulled the plug on the Chris Johnson era, the artist formerly known as CJ2K immediately becomes the most attractive unrestricted free agent on the market.

According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, the running back's release will be made official Monday at 4 p.m. ET, at which point Johnson will be free to talk to teams. ProFootballTalk reported Saturday that CJ2K is expected to pick his new team next week.

We already analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of Johnson's game while pointing out potential landing spots. Which of those teams are showing interest in the speedy running back?

Here is NFL.com's Chris Johnson tracker:

1. New York Jets: Three separate New York outfits offered the exact same report Friday morning, conceding the +New York Jets' interest but cautioning that a signing would be possible only at the right price. In other words, the perceived front-runners are sending a message to Johnson's camp to lower expectations from the $8 million the running back originally was scheduled to earn in 2014. A source informed of the Titans' thinking tells Rapoport that the Jets came closest to pulling off a trade.

2. +Atlanta Falcons: Despite a ProFootballTalk report to the contrary, Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean isn't willing to surrender his original contention that the Falcons are a fit. There's reason to trust Wyatt's instincts, as Rapoport reports the Falcons and +Buffalo Bills were among the teams talking trade.

3. +Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins also discussed a trade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Any interest in Johnson presumably surfaced before they signed Knowshon Moreno.

Teams not in the hunt

» +Dallas Cowboys, +New York Giants and Jets were among the teams that inquired about Johnson prior to his release, according to Fox Sports. As Rapoport points out, the Cowboys were set to draft CJ2K at No. 25 overall in 2008 only to watch the Titans snare him one pick earlier. Teams sources tell the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, however, that the Cowboys have no interest in signing Johnson.

» New York Giants: Despite the Giants' reported inquiries, The Record's Art Stapleton suggests Johnson isn't a realistic option for Tom Coughlin's club. Rashad Jennings was signed to start, and there's still hope that David Wilson will bounce back this season.

» St. Louis Rams: Johnson has an obvious connection to former Titans coach Jeff Fisher, but there's been nothing but the sound of crickets emanating from St. Louis on this subject.

» Buffalo Bills: The Bills' reported involvement in trade talks was a head-scratcher with C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson entering contract years. Now apparently, the interest was overblown. The Buffalo News reported that the Titans called the Bills to gauge interest in a trade, but Buffalo wasn't interested. According to the News, the Titans might have floated the Bills as a possible trade partner to make it seem like they didn't just cut the running back.

In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast", the guys welcome Browns star Joe Haden to the studio and talk about the uncertain future of Chris Johnson.

Chris Johnson Era is Over: Tennessee Titans

NASHVILLE — The Chris Johnson era in Tennessee is over.

Photo Courtesy: +USA Today Sports Media Group 

The +Tennessee Titans cut their star running back Friday, ending a six-year stretch when he electrified and ultimately frustrated fans.

"As an organization, we want to thank Chris for his contributions to the Titans. Chris produced many memorable moments, broke franchise records and was durable over his six year career with our team," read a statement released by the Titans.

Q: where might Johnson play next?

"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. 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."

Johnson was scheduled to make $8 million this year following a season when he ran for 1,077 yards and a career-low average of 3.9 yards per carry. The Titans attempted to trade him after the start of the league new year on March 11, but could not work out a deal with any other team.

Johnson posted a statement on +Twitter : "I'd like to thank all of my teammates, the fans, the staff and the coaches who have supported me throughout my journey with the Titans. I have grown so much as an individual and as teammate over the past few years, and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and talents to a new organization. I'm looking forward to the next chapter and can't wait to contribute to my new team."

TRADE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers deal WR Mike Williams

Johnson flew from his home in Orlando to Nashville late Thursday and reported to Saint Thomas Sports Park on Friday morning to meet with general manager Ruston Webster and take a physical related to knee surgery he underwent in January for a torn meniscus.

The Titans begin their offseason workout program on Monday, and Johnson told The (Nashville) Tennessean recently he planned to be there. If he took part in the program and suffered a serious injury, the Titans would have been on the hook for his $8 million salary.

The Titans saved $6 million in salary-cap space by releasing Johnson. He will count $4 million against the cap in 2014 and then be off the team's books, according to sources familiar with the situation.