The New York Jets have inked former 2,000 yard-a-year rusher Chris Johnson to a two-year deal worth as much as $9 million, teaming him with quarterback Michael Vick and forming potentially one of the league’s most dynamic and speedy backfield duos.
ESPN reports the core of the deal is worth $8 million and includes another $1 million in incentives based on yardage, rescuing the former All-Pro rusher from an otherwise skeptical marketplace that had showed little to no interest in his once dominant services.
In the case of the Jets, other media outlets report the team wanted to get him in camp prior to the start of their offseason workout plan. Despite all the criticisms and declining production from his 2,006 rushing yards season of 2009, Johnson has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of the last six seasons. His pass catching-abilities are almost as eye-popping, as he’s also averaged 45 catches for an average of 333 yards and eight touchdowns over his first six NFL seasons with the Titans.
The Jets have every rusher returning from last season when they finished sixth in the league in rushing, and with Johnson and Vick now being added to the mix the possibilities seem endless.
Still, roles have to be defined. Johnson averaged just short of 300 carries per season during his time in Tennessee. In coming to NYC, he faces the likelihood of having to team with mainstays Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory, both of whom powered the Jets’ attack last season for a combined 1,530 yards and four touchdowns.
“I think I’m going to fit in pretty well,” said Johnson. “Just talking to offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and to coach Rex Ryan, who’s a guy that likes to run the ball, I think I’m going to fit in very well. We talked about all those things, catching out of the backfield, getting the ball to me in space.”
