Andre Johnson not a trade target for Jets, per report

Andre Johnson's continued unhappiness with the Texans—the star wide receiver has played on just two playoff teams in 11 seasons in Houston, which is in rebuilding mode again under first-year coach Bill O'Brien—had prompted renewed speculation that Johnson might force a trade.

But according to Kristian Dyer of Metro New York, the Jets can be crossed off the list as a possible trading partner (assuming the Texans want to move Johnson in the first place, of course):

Trading for Johnson “is not something we are actively pursuing,” one Jets team executive told Metro New York, adding “he isn’t a fit for where we are heading.”

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the source said the Texans have done nothing to signal a willingness to deal Johnson. But the source also made it clear the Jets aren’t looking to add Johnson at this point.

“Clearly Andre is a special player, but special players come at a price,” the executive said. “Right now, with the direction the team wants to go, it isn’t the best fit. While he is a tremendous talent, he would hurt a lot of cap flexibility.”

That view is consistent with how the Jets have operated under second-year general manager John Idzik. Idzik's habit has been to dole out contracts with an eye on avoiding significant cap costs in future years. This is not a case of IDZIK IS CHEAP!!! either: It's true the Jets have $22.3 million in cap space for this year, per NFLPA records, but that figure can be rolled over into the future, and Johnson is due to make $10 million this year, $10.5 million next year, and $11 million in 2016, per overthecap.com.

Would Johnson, who turned 33 last Friday, be willing to work out a new deal with a new team? Who's to say.

In late May, Jets running back Chris Johnson (no relation) openly lobbied for the Jets to trade for Andre Johnson, albeit with a subsequent acknowledgement that the Texans probably won't ship him out. Two reasons the Texans and Johnson are unlikely to part ways: The 6-foot-3, 219-pound Johnson has had seven seasons with at least 1,100 receiving yards, making him one of the league's most consistently productive receivers—a significant chip for an offensive-minded coach like O'Brien. And by trading Johnson, the Texans would have to absorb a salary-cap hit of nearly $12 million, though they could spread that hit out over the next two seasons.


(nj.com)