Johnson, 28, was released by the Tennessee Titans after six 1,000-yard seasons in Nashville. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Running back Chris Johnson signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets on Wednesday.
Johnson, 28, was released by the Tennessee Titans after six 1,000-yard seasons in Nashville. The Jets envision Johnson as a big-play threat to pair with Chris Ivory when the offense slows to coach Rex Ryan’s preferred “ground and pound” approach of relying on power running to move the chains and wear down opponents.
Johnson signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Titans in 2011 that included a base salary of $8 million for the 2014 season. New coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Ruston Webster made it clear that Johnson was not part of the long-term plans. Attempts to trade Johnson for draft pick compensation did not materialize.
Johnson might not be the same player he was in 2009, when he rushed for more than 2,000 yards, but he carried the ball 279 times in 2013 and could flourish as part of a rotation. With the Jets, Ivory and Bilal Powell figure into the workload.
—Josh Freeman agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Giants.
The quarterback gives the team a second arm in offseason workouts, joining second-year backup Ryan Nassib. Starter Eli Manning is out for at least six weeks after undergoing ankle surgery.
A first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Freeman will be joining his third team in six months, which included a start for the Minnesota Vikings against the Giants last season.
—Peyton Manning finds no value in reliving the Denver Broncos’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks in February. The MVP quarterback prefers to lock into the season ahead.
“Just because you were there last year in the game, it doesn’t guarantee you anything,” Manning said Wednesday at the Boy Scouts of America breakfast in Denver. “It does take a lot of hard work and sacrifice. I think forming that chemistry takes time. Certainly working together in the weight room is part of it.”
There are new faces on both sides of the ball for Manning and others to get to know, including high-priced free agents on defense — cornerback Aqib Talib, safety TJ Ward and defensive end DeMarcus Ware. The Broncos also lost running back Knowshon Moreno and wide receiver Eric Decker, and signed slot receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
—San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd will join the team for workouts after receiving medical clearance for the first time since a season-ending injury at Philadelphia in 2013.
The 32-year-old Floyd, diagnosed with a spinal disc injury last September, was cleared for light workouts.
He is owed $2.75 million in 2014 and could bring a needed secondary receiver to Keenan Allen, who emerged as a rookie as a legitimate lead receiver for quarterback Philip Rivers.
—San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, who was arrested last weekend for making false bomb reports at a Los Angeles airport, likely will not play for the team in 2014, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
The Mercury News also reported that several sources involved with the team’s decision-making said the 49ers will unlikely release Smith. They still owe him $3 million guaranteed. The 49ers have until May 3 to decide whether to extend Smith’s contract from four years to five.
In addition to his latest run-in with the law, Smith has had other run-ins with police since joining the 49ers in 2011.
