The Denver Broncos could add an aging star wide receiver looking for one last hurrah to the compliment of skill players for an aging star quarterback looking for one last hurrah.
The Houston Chronicle reported Monday that wide receiver Andre Johnson has asked for a trade from the Houston Texas, with whom he has spent his entire 12-year NFL career. If a trade cannot be worked out, Johnson has asked the Texans to cut him.
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The seven-time Pro Bowler will be 34 when the 2015 NFL season starts. He caught 85 passes for 936 yards and three touchdowns - numbers down from his peak in 2008-09 when he averaged 108 catches for 1,572 yards and 8.5 TDs, but certainly not embarrassing statistics in 2014.
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Johnson is scheduled to make $10.5 million with a salary cap cost of $16.1 million next season, the Chronicle reported. The team would save $8.82 million in cap space via trade or release. Johnson said he and the Texans never got to the point about restructuring his contract.
The tipping point apparently was a meeting between Johnson and coach Bill O'Brien, who told the wideout about accepting a reduced role with the team.
"I don't know how you tell a guy who catches 85 balls that he'll only probably catch 40. I feel like the role they were trying to put me in I'd be held back from maximizing my talents. I feel like that was the best thing for both sides.
"Why sit there and be miserable when I can go somewhere else and be able to show my talents?"
Could that place be the Mile-High City? Johnson is somewhat familiar with first-year Denver Broncos coach Gary Kubiak. Johnson spent his first eight years playing for Kubiak in Houston, the Chronicle added.
The Broncos have an opening at wide receiver with the likely departure of free agent Wes Welker.
Not only would Johnson provide another weapon for quarterback Peyton Manning, but he certainly would have the potential to flourish under a receiving corps that includes Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and - if he re-signs - tight end Julius Thomas.
"I was just made aware of this whole situation today," Johnson said, according to the Chronicle. "I haven't really had time to really find out anything else.
"My biggest thing right now is just trying to get everything finalized with the Texans and then move forward."
According to USA TODAY Sports, Johnson's 1,012 career catches and 13,597 career yards are second of any active player, behind the Indianapolis Colts' Reggie Wayne.
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