Jets will not exercise option on running back Johnson

  • Associated Press
  • Saturday, February 14, 2015 3:17pm
  • SportsSports

NEW YORK — The New York Jets are saying C-Ya to CJ2K after just one season.

The Jets announced Saturday they will not exercise their option on running back Chris Johnson, making him an unrestricted free agent next month and saving the team $3.5 million on the salary cap this year.

The team will, however, exercise the contract options on veteran linebackers Calvin Pace and Jason Babin.

New York had until Monday to make a decision on Johnson, who was due a $500,000 option bonus that would have kicked in if he remained on the roster past that date.

Johnson was scheduled to make a base salary of $3.5 million, with a salary cap hit of about $5.25 million. He will now cost only around $1.75 million against the cap. Johnson will be free to sign with any team when the NFL’s free agency period begins on March 10.

The Jets will also likely be in the market for a running back during that time or in the draft. Chris Ivory and Daryl Richardson are the only other Jets running backs under contract for next season; Bilal Powell is scheduled to become a free agent.

The 29-year-old Johnson was signed to a two-year, $8 million deal by the Jets last April after six years with Tennessee to provide a versatile presence in the backfield. But, he was coming off offseason knee surgery and had his worst statistical season while splitting time with Ivory in then-offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s system.

Johnson, who will be 30 in September, ran for 663 yards — his first season under 1,000 — and one touchdown, while catching a career-low 24 passes for 151 yards and a score. Johnson’s 4.3 average per carry was respectable, but he hardly looked like the guy who ran for 2,006 yards in 2009, earning him his CJ2K nickname.

Known for his blistering speed and ability to break off long plays at any moment in a game, Johnson ran for 100 yards just once — when he had 105 on 17 carries, including a 47-yard scamper, against Miami last December.

He also didn’t get as many touches as he had been used to with the Titans, eclipsing 15 carries in a game just twice. Ivory led the Jets with 821 yards on 198 carries as New York finished third in the NFL in overall rushing while Mornhinweg used a committee approach.

While it likely didn’t play a major role in the Jets’ decision, Johnson also was arrested in Orlando, Florida, in January on a misdemeanor weapons charge. Orlando police said Johnson was pulled over after he ran a stop sign on Jan. 9. When an officer approached Johnson’s vehicle, he said he saw a firearm between Johnson’s feet. Openly carrying a gun is generally banned in Florida.

Johnson has rushed for 8,628 yards and 51 touchdowns in his NFL career after being a first-round pick out of East Carolina in 2008.

Both Pace and Babin are 34, so they are no locks to make the Jets’ roster next season. But the team exercised their $250,000 options on each of the linebackers, who could provide veteran leadership on new coach Todd Bowles’ defense.

Pace, who has been with the Jets since 2008, started every game last season for the fourth straight year. He had five sacks, giving him 43 since joining the Jets. Pace also had four tackles for loss and three passes defensed last season. He spent his first five NFL seasons with Arizona.

Babin signed as a free agent last July and had two sacks while playing in all 16 games. The two-time Pro Bowl selection has also played with Houston, Seattle, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Tennessee and Jacksonville.

___

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.