NFL Rumors: Chris Johnson Expected To Be Released By Tennessee Titans; New York Jets Among Interested Teams

Despite eclipsing the 1,000-rushing yard plateau in each of his first six seasons in the National Football League, former East Carolina University standout Chris Johnson is expected to be released by Tennessee Titans in the coming days. The Titans begin their offseason on Monday, April 7 and even though Johnson said recently that he plans on being there when first-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt and company begin training, his presence appears unlikely due to financial conflicts. Initially linked with multiple trade rumors earlier this year, Johnson is now likely to be released due to an $8 million figure attached to him for the 2014 NFL season. Finances aside, the 30-year-old says he’s ready to begin the upcoming workout program with the team that selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

“I plan on being there," Johnson told 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.”

Though he averaged a career-low 3.9 yards per carry last season for the Titans, Johnson was still able to crack the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth time in his career. Accumulating nearly 8,000 yards on the ground along with 50 touchdowns and over 2,000 yards receiving since entering the league, the Orlando, Florida native has been viewed as one of the most dynamic backs in professional football. While his numbers did decrease from a 2012 campaign that saw him rush for 1,243 yards and 6 touchdowns, Johnson is still expected to receive varying degrees of interest from around the league if he’s released as many expect.

The Atlanta Falcons had been viewed as a possible landing spot for Johnson but multiple reports indicated recently that Falcons higher-ups don’t see the veteran running back as a fit. If Atlanta does not become a suitor of Johnson, the New York Jets -- who are in the market for added depth at the running back position --- are believed to be a potential home assuming Tennessee cuts ties with their starting running back.

Veteran Mike Goodson along with Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell have earned their fair share of experience and success throughout their careers but because they don’t hold the ability to break off explosive plays, the addition of Johnson would only help New York’s backfield ability.

Should Johnson depart Tennessee and not join the Jets, expect teams like the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots to explore the possibility of bringing in a talent who ran for over 2,000 yards in 2009.