While Duke Johnson is out of the image of the Texans in 2021, they still have that David Johnson under contract. And the former All-Pro’s cap number is down nearly $ 3 million from where it was in 2020.
However, the Texans still want to cut the number of startups, notes Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. Entering the final season of his Cardinals-constructed contract, Johnson will count $ 8.5 million by the Texans’ 2021 limit. That number ranks sixth among the running.
The Texans made David Johnson the center of a trade that most observers immediately criticized when they acquired him in a deal that DeAndre Hopkins to the cards. But Nick Caserio was clearly not involved in that controversial exchange. The new GM has already cut several starters or major contributions – including Duke Johnson, Nick Martin and JJ Watt – so it would be particularly surprising to see the Texans trying to save $ 6 million plus by lowering David Johnson.
In his first Texan season, David Johnson collected 1,005 scrimmage yards in 12 games. Johnson, who spent time on IR due to a concussion, also increased his average per-carry from 3.7 in his last season in Arizona to 4.7 in 2020. Despite his participation in the NFL in 2015, Johnson turns 30 this year.
The six-year veteran has guaranteed $ 2.1 million on his contract and would like to stay with the Texans for a second season, according to Wilson. He may have to agree to a pay cut to do so, although the parties can agree to an extension that would lower his ceiling for 2021.
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