WR Andre Johnson Free Agency Fits: Seahawks, Patriots, Ravens
By Erik Lambert
Let’s just go ahead and fast forward NFL free agency. There really is no reason for any team to trade for Andre Johnson at this point when they know he is going to be released regardless. The 33-year old is on the backside of his impressive career and won’t be able to command the kind of money his current contract holds.
That doesn’t mean he won’t have value though. In the right situation Johnson should have enough left in the tank for at least one more good year. He did post 936 yards despite catching passes from three different quarterbacks. Any team looking for a short-term boost at the receiver position will find him enticing. Here are some to watch carefully.
Seattle Seahawks
How different would the final pass in the Super Bowl might’ve been if Johnson had been the target for Russell Wilson instead of Ricardo Lockette? That is something the Seattle Seahawks don’t want to relive. They’ve been skating by with secondary receivers for some time and they have to change that. Even at his age Johnson is an upgrade over what they have.
On the flip side, Seattle represents something he is desperately searching for which is a roster that is ready to compete for a Super Bowl. His addition to their offense could take all sorts of advantage of the presence of Marshawn Lynch (assuming he’s back) and the Legion of Boom.
New England Patriots
Plucking older veterans at a cheap rate and squeezing some life out of them is something the New England Patriots have had success with for years. In return they offer what Johnson wants, which is a shot at a ring. Their recent success proves that. Tom Brady is a master at incoporating new weapons into the offense and Bill Belichick can handle outspoken players, though Johnson is nowhere near the level of Randy Moss.
The big obstacle for this to happen is money. Johnson will come at a discount but not dirt cheap either. New England will have to do some work on their salary structure to get him on the roster.
Baltimore Ravens
Given the signing of Steve Smith was such a smashing success, there is no reason to think the Baltimore Ravens couldn’t double down on Andre Johnson. His pedigree and size are something Joe Flacco has lacked at the receiver position, offering that big target that becomes so important on 3rd down and in the red zone.
Like the Patriots though, Baltimore has some work to do on their salary cap before they can entertain the possibility of signing anybody in NFL free agency. Ozzie Newsome is a pro at that, so it shouldn’t be a major obstacle. The Ravens are good about getting maximum value from older veterans, which may explain why they give New England such fits in the playoffs every year.
Rest assured Andre Johnson is aiming for contender once he’s free of the Houston Texans. It will come down to which one can free up the needed money to get him.