Texans Cut Receiver Andre Johnson, Where Could He Land Next?

On Monday afternoon, the Houston Texans released all pro wide receiver and the face of the Texans’ franchise for nearly a decade, Andre Johnson. The Houston Texans’ inaugural season was in 2002 and from that point to now, there has been no other player that has done more for the Texans than Johnson.

Johnson was the third overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. Johnson was a college standout at the University of Miami and carried that talent to the NFL level and has lived up to those expectations. So many times in the NFL we see wide receivers that are selected high in the draft that are complete busts, but not Johnson he has been worth the third pick and more.

Monday his decade plus run with the Texans came to an end, but now the time to turn the page to a new chapter in his career begins. He will be highly pursued because of his talent level and professionalism on and off the field. He could be the missing piece for a contending team in 2015, but just where are the top destinations for Johnson?

I feel as he reaches the end of his prime years, he would be an outstanding second option for a playoff contending team. I feel a team like the Eagles would be perfect for Johnson. Johnson would be allowed to display his talents in Philadelphia more than ever before in Houston.

Eagles’ Head Coach Chip Kelly would utilize his talents much like he has done for other members of the Eagles’ offense the past couple years. Johnson would be the home run threat that the Eagles need to take pressure off of potential starting quarterback Nick Foles in 2015.

Johnson would be the star offensive weapon now that the Eagles have cut ties with LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin the past week. The Eagles seem to be in the process of revamping what was one of the league’s best offenses in 2014 and bringing in Johnson would be a huge piece to that newly assembled puzzle.

The interest by the Eagles for Johnson is unclear at this moment, but with the drastic changes the Eagles are making this offseason do not be the least bit surprised if this move happens. Kelly loves offense and Johnson would be perfect for his up tempo, spread out system.

I feel Johnson’s talents were not fully displayed in Houston because of the inconsistency at the quarterback position. I would compare this to Larry Fitzgerald with the Arizona Cardinals in the late 2000’s. Fitzgerald had an average career, number wise, before Warner came and then his numbers spiked to a hall of fame level.

Fitzgerald got a star quarterback, in Kurt Warner, and Fitzgerald’s true talents were put on display for the national audience. I feel this would be the same thing that would happen for Johnson if he is put in the right offensive system in 2015.

The next few weeks for Johnson will be interesting once negotiations begin with Johnson and new suitors for his talents. No matter which team lands Johnson one thing is for sure, and that is one lucky NFL team will get a hungry, determined and motivated wide receiver capable of putting up all pro numbers.