Wide receiver Andre Johnson has not attended any of the Houston Texans' offseason workout programs and has indicated he has no plans to attend training camp, but he still has the support of his teammate Arian Foster.
"He is Houston," Foster said during an interview with Local 2 news in Houston on Tuesday. "I remember when I had my little run where I had like two back-to-back great seasons. I felt like this city loves me; they love me here. Everywhere I go, this is still Dre's city."
Johnson has reportedly asked for a trade, but the Texans are not interested in dealing him to anyone despite the fact that he refuses to show up for the workouts and possibly even training camp.
Foster said that Johnson is the heart of Houston even more so than any NBA player on the Rockets.
"I don't care if James Harden is walking around, Dwight Howard, whatever. This is Andre Johnson's city. He is Houston," the running back said. "That's what it means more than anything. He's been a staple here for so long."
Johnson will make $10.5 million this season, but he'll fail to collect a $1 million roster bonus for not showing up to the team's offseason workouts. A trade or release of Johnson would cost the Texans around $12 million against the NFL's salary cap.
Johnson has publicly stated he isn't sure if he wants to remain with the team as he sees the 2014 season as a re-building campaign. Johnson has only experienced three winning seasons in 11 years as a member of the only franchise he's ever known.
Houston had the best season in franchise history with a 12-4 record and AFC South Division title in 2012 but they followed it up in 2013 by finishing tied with a franchise-worst 2-14 mark.
"I understand where he's coming from, I really do," Foster said. "This is a business, and people forget that it's a business. He's at the point of his career where he doesn't want money now. He just wants to go win."
Foster said that he hopes that Johnson will make a decision that's best for him.
"Ultimately that's one of my friends outside the field," Foster said. "So I want him to do what's best for him. If he doesn't feel like playing anymore, he wants to hang it up, then I'll support him. If he wants to come back and help us win, I'm all for that as well."
Johnson, 33, was drafted by the Texans with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and has appeared in 154 career games with the franchise. In 2013, Johnson had 109 receptions for 1,407 yards with five touchdowns.
For more coverage, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN and Like Us on Facebook
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
