Four Decisions That Will Shape The Houston Texans Offseason

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver

(80) on the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson stayed away from camp last season though OTA’s and mini-camps and many wondered what it was all about.  This off-season is what it was about.

UPDATE: Texans have decided to part ways with Johnson. They’ve given him permission to seek a trade. 

Andre knew that headed into this off-season he’d be on the books as a $16 million hit against the salary cap and he also knew he’d be another year older, 34 before the start of the season. And his concern was the Texans would just cut him, forcing him to take a large pay cut and try to find a new place to play, another year older.

It was reported that everything got resolved when Bob McNair stepped in and gave Andre his word that he would not be cut.  We’re guessing however that he did not promise Andre that he would not have to take a pay cut.

The reality is as great as Andre has been and as he has been the cornerstone of this organization in its first 10-12 years, he simply must take a pay cut for it to continue.  Andre and his agent are likely looking at the deal that Larry Fitzgerald just got from the Cardinals of around $10 million a year.  Problem is Fitzgerald is three years younger and has not slowed down as much as Andre has in recent years.

So will the Texans give him $10 million?  Doubtful.  So what is Andre’s real market value.  Best gauge of that is probably Reggie Wayne of the Colts for the past 2 seasons.  Wayne, two years older than Andre and ironically also from the U, made $5 million in 2013 and $4 million last season.  If Andre hits the open market, that’s likely what he would be looking at.

If I’m the Texans, I do want Andre to retire as a Texan, and it seems clear that is also what Bob McNair wants as well.  It seems like the logical answer is some place in between, about $7 million a year.  It’s more than market value for Andre and not such a huge cut that Andre should feel insulted or unappreciated by the organization.  But it gets the $16 million off the cap.

Or with the increase in cap, if they wait and see how free agency works out and if they have room, they could offer a 2-year deal where it’s $10 million in the first year and then comes back to around $4 million in the 2nd year.  A deal that is also more than fair to Andre.

Nov 29, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive back Blake Countess (2) hits Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver

(9) before the ball arrives at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

A 3rd wide receiver is likely already a fairly high priority for the Texans as they struggled last year to get anything out of the slot as Bill O’Brien clearly wants to.  It won’t be in the 1st round of the draft but potentially in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.  Ohio State’s Devin Smith, USC’s Nelson Agholor and Miami’s Phillip Dorsett all guys to consider in this range.

But part of that NEED, is Andre’s age and needing to start backfilling the position for his eventual departure.

If Andre leaves, the Texans could make a run at a free agent such as Randall Cobb, greatly diminishing the need in the draft, to perhaps a 4^th rounder, outside wide receiver type.  In this scenario, those to consider could be Michigan State’s Tony Lippett, Houston’s Deontay Greenberry or pehaps a swing for the fences with a falling Dorial Green-Beckham from Missouri.

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