(The Spread) – If the latest reports are true, the Tennessee Titans may have to pony up even more than they thought if they want to retain Chris Johnson.
According to Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean, Johnson wants a contract paying him in excess of $13 million a year over the first three seasons. Wyatt writes that he’s “seen it floated out” that Johnson wants a $13 million per-year average over the first three years of a new deal but the figures are “low.” Wyatt notes that Johnson, “wants more than that.”
The 25-year-old running back is set to make just $800,000 in 2011 and $2.21 in 2012 before he becomes a free agent in 2013. Those numbers are low for a back as productive as Johnson has been, and he refuses to report to camp until he has a new contract. He held out last year too, although the Titans found a way to give him a small raise and he eventually reported. This year, however, he means business.
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Without Johnson, an already talent-strapped Titans team will get even worse. They organization did sign veteran quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to mentor first round pick Jake Locker, but this team is devoid of talent offensively. With Johnson’s contract issues and receiver Kenny Britt’s off-field trouble, the Titans could be hurting unless they decide to get the ball rolling soon with CJ. It may be time to pony up.
Oddsmakers currently list Tennessee as a 75/1 long shot to win the 2012 Super Bowl. But if Johnson doesn’t report to camp in time for the regular season, you can bet that the Titans’ odds will drop further. He is, without a doubt, the team’s most explosive and productive playmaker.
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