The Houston Texans and Andre Johnson

Houston Texans receiver, Andre Johnson, has been one of the best wide receivers in the NFL since his arrival in, 2003 Coming out of college, Johnson wasn't your typical brash, talkative, University of Miami player. He came into the league, worked and played hard, and stayed out of trouble. When other receivers were misbehaving, Johnson quietly went about the business of playing football, but this off season the receiver finds himself in the spotlight, unhappy with his current contract.

Andre Johnson currently has 5 years, $28 million dollars left on his contract. While it's clear he's one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, he's definitely not paid like one. Brandon Marshall, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, signed a 5 year, $47.3 million contract this year. Larry Fitzgerald is playing under a contract that pays him, $40 million, for 4 years.

Johnson's frustration is understandable when you look at the receivers stats. For the past two seasons, Andre Johnson has finished with more receiving yards then any other receiver in the league. In those two seasons, his average yards per catch was higher then Marshall and Fitzgerald. Based upon his play and productivity, Johnson deserves a raise, but it's not that simple.

In 2007, Andre Johnson's uncle negotiated a contract extension netting his nephew a deal that was to pay him, $60 million dollars over 8 years. It's apparent looking at other contracts, Johnson's deal wasn't a good one. The Johnson contract is an example of why relatives, and rappers (see Ricky Williams contract) shouldn't negotiate contracts. To his credit, Johnson has hired an agent to negotiate future deals.

Andre Johnson will be 29 years old when the NFL season begins. With 5 years remaining on his contract, an extension may be his last opportunity to get a big contract. In the "real" world, we tell our children they have to live with the choices they make, and deal with the consequences. Andre Johnson made a bad decision, but doesn't want to live with the consequences. At some point the Texans will restructure their wide receivers contract, because he is their best player and this team, who's still looking for their first playoff birth, needs him.

However the situation is resolved, it will have a negative impact on the Houston Texans franchise. If they don't renegotiate, they'll have a disgruntled employee on their hands, who may or may not be able to perform to his abilities, while playing with animosity. If they renegotiate a contract with 5 years remaining on it, they'll set a precedent, and any contract no matter the length, will be fair game for renegotiation.

It's actually too bad they have to report on each players contract, because sometimes, ignorance is bliss. If Andre Johnson didn't know what other top receivers were making, I imagine he'd be happy with his $60 million dollar contract. Too bad we often focus on what we don't have, and fail to appreciate what we do.

Sources:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=nfl&id=1575
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnAn02.htm
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3287855
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=NFL&id=3653