Chris Johnson to Dallas: Call Me Maybe?
Former East Carolina running back Chris Johnson is currently a free agent. His one year of the New York Jets didn’t really meet his or the Jets’ expectations. Johnson is looking for what might be his final home in the NFL. He has figured out where he wants to be. He wants to be a Dallas Cowboy.
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First Johnson is looking for contending teams. Dallas won the NFC East last year and several observers had them as a Super Bowl pick after beating the Seahawks early in the year. The NFC should be Dallas’ for the taking, minus Chip Kelly actually being smarter than the rest of us. So Dallas looks like a playoff team.
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Second, there has to be a role for Johnson to play. Dallas lost DeMarco Murray to inflated contract demands. Their primary rushing role became open. Many believed that Dallas was going to try to pry Adrian Peterson from the Vikings in order to fill that hole. That has not yet happened. The Cowboys have signed Darren McFadden, the oft-injured Arkansas Heisman winner.
Johnson may believe one of three realities. One he might believe he can outcompete McFadden in camp. Two, he might believe that McFadden is likely to break down and therefore opportunity to become the main guy will emerge. Third, he might believe that he can fill the third down back role and occasionally spell McFadden.
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Third, Johnson wants to go to a place that will protect himself from injury in his last handful of productive seasons. The Jets offense last year was a disaster. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have a talented offensive line that they have been building up for the last few years. Johnson logically sees the Cowboys as a great spot to land.
The question is whether Dallas wants Johnson. Johnson may not be ready to settle for less money. Dallas may be satisfied with their current backs.