Former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has been nothing but a pillar of strength and leadership for the team for the past 12 seasons. For that he was treated with very little respect during his last days as a member of the Texans.
Johnson, a future Hall of Famer, was officially released by the team on Monday.
Texans officially released WR Andre Johnson.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2015
Over Johnson’s 12-year tenure with the team, he totaled 13,597 receiving yards and 77 touchdowns. He racked up seven 1,000-yard seasons and earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl.
Immediately prior to his released being announced, Johnson spoke on his frustrations with the team, and in general about the way career veterans are regarded in today’s NFL.
The funny thing is, when a player asks to be traded or something, people get on you about honoring your contract. But when you’ve done a lot for an organization and they feel like you get old, then they don’t have to honor their contract.
I don’t get where they come up with this honoring your contract when you’re very, very productive and you are doing great things for them…I don’t know a lot of guys in the league that catch 85 balls and have almost 1,000 yards and that’s a down year for them. But you have a year like that and then it’s ‘well, you’re old, we want to reduce your role,’ and all this stuff — I don’t get that.
Johnson’s frustrations are valid. While his 936 receiving yards were down last year, he still put up a solid season. Why the brass in Texas would want to cut back on Johnson’s activity moving forward while they are already thin at the position will likely remain a thorn in his side.
Finished with the Texans, we shall see if another team feels differently about Johnson’s potential. He should draw some solid interest on the open market.
Photo: USA Today