Not first time Andre Johnson, Texans have butted heads

Andre Johnson’s frustrated comments Tuesday were his most direct attack to date against the Texans, as the veteran wide receiver questioned the future of his 11-plus year relationship with the only team he’s ever played for.

But they weren’t unprecedented. Neither was the situation.

As the 2010 season approached, Johnson was coming off back-to-back Pro Bowls. He led the NFL in receiving yards both seasons, totaling 216 catches for 3,144 yards in 2008-09.

In May 2010, Johnson missed three voluntary practices and the initial portion of organized team activities due to a contract dispute, despite having five years left on an eight-year, $60 million deal. At the time, Johnson was one of the premier receivers in the NFL but wasn’t receiving an elite salary.

“They say a closed mouth never gets fed, so I communicated with (general manager) Rick Smith and (owner) Mr. (Bob) McNair and told them how I felt,” said Johnson, who hired agent Kennard McGuire during the process.

Smith’s response: “Our policy’s been that we’ll look at deals and we’ll try to get things done during the offseason. But once the season starts, our entire focus as an organization goes to football and playing games.”

By Aug. 5, the best player in franchise history had the new deal he wanted. Johnson’s contract was extended two years at a base salary of $23.5 million and with a maximum value of $38.5 million. At the time, the revised contract made Johnson the highest-paid receiver in the NFL.

“I want to thank the organization,” Johnson said. “I don’t know what to say other than thank you from the bottom of my heart. I also want to thank my teammates. I’m very happy right now.”

Smith joked: “I know this sets a precedent. And if another player comes to my office wanting to (renegotiate), I’ll tell him to get some pelts on the wall like Andre, and we’ll talk.”

Smith said the revised deal would make Johnson a “Texan for life.”

“It’s important that Andre have one home — and that’s with the Houston Texans,” McNair said. “He’ll probably be our first Hall of Fame player. We wanted to make sure he went in as a Texan and he played his career as a Texan.”

Since 2010, Johnson has continued to be one of the league’s elite receivers. He holds the Texans’ franchise record in all-time receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. After an injury-plagued 2011, when Johnson was limited to seven games, he bounced back in 2012-13 to combine for 221 catches and 3,005 yards. In the Texans’ lost 2013 season, when the team went an NFL-worst 2-14, Johnson was one of the few consistent bright spots and the team’s undisputed offensive most valuable player.

Still, at the height of the Texans’ 12-4 season in 2012 — the franchise’s peak since Johnson was drafted by the team in 2003 — the veteran wide receiver echoed his comments Tuesday.

“I wouldn’t say that there was a time when I said, ‘Get me out of here,’ ” Johnson told the Boston Globe, referring to the Texans’ woeful expansion years. “Had I thought about it? Yeah.”

Now, the Texans are again entering a new era. Coach Bill O’Brien is in some ways building his vision of an NFL team from scratch. Johnson is entering his 12th season and will turn 33 on July 11. By the time many expect the Texans to be consistently competitive again, Johnson could be in his 15th year in the league.


(chron.com)