Titans running back Chris Johnson is only two seasons into the five-year, $12 million rookie contract he signed in 2008. But he already wants a big, big raise.
“I think I deserve to be the highest paid running back in the league, or even the highest paid offensive player besides the quarterback,” he said Monday. Johnson added that he won’t cause a public fuss about his demands, but says “hopefully, [the Titans] want that, too” when discussing a potential extension.
St. Louis’ Steven Jackson is currently the league’s highest paid running back.
Johnson is scheduled to receive $560,000 in 2010 salary. LenDale White, who Johnson has made irrelevant, collected $535,000 last season.
The sides have not begun talking about upgrading or extending Johnson’s contract, but the Titans may hesitate do so coming off a season in which Johnson led the league in carries.
Other than terrific production as a first- and second-year player, Johnson has little leverage. So it will be up to Titans G.M. Mike Reinfeldt to determine whether Johnson is worth committing a huge amount of money to as a third-year player. Tennessee controls Johnson’s rights through at least 2012.
These guys are funny. What you didn’t beleive in your self when you signed your deal? Wormburner
Chris Johnson as of now is the best RB in the NF and deserves to payed as such
Packers suck!!
Chris Johnson needs to stfu..you never hear Adrian Peterson talking about a new deal or more $$$
Can’t wait until some rookie has a great game in Week 1 and then announces he wants a new contract.
It is so easy to not like the self proclaimed”Every coaches dream.” Whine about money,whine about MVP…he is the new T.O. He should learn a little class from AD,a great runner who acts humble.If you are that great Chris the money will follow. Did it burn your ass for Irvin to say AD was still the beast RB of the NFL on the ProBowl show? Surprise you didn’t Twitter smack to AD.
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, in the event that his production falls off would he then be willing to negotioate a pay deduction? Didn’t think so.
Chris Johnson wants to be the highest paid back in football. The Titans want Chris Johnson to speak, write, and spell above a 2nd grade level. I don’t see a compromise coming any time soon.
Gotsa buy mo gode toofs.
This is EXACTLY where a rookie wage scale comes into play. Pay this RB while he’s accumulating all these carries and gaining those yards. No RB gets a big contract near 30 years old anymore. So pay the man who is actually earning it and allow more flexibility in paying those who don’t, less.
—These guys are funny. What you didn’t beleive in your self when you signed your deal? Wormburner—
He’s a Rookie and the Focus of a teams offense,Yes he signed the deal but it’s a rookie deal…He’s the best Running Back in the NFL he doesn’t deserve to be paid like a rookie…More so with the Short life Span of RB”s if he played out the 5 year rookie contract he may not get a chance at 2nd big deal…
The Rookie Deals are out of control on both sides one The Players who get payed 50+ Million Dollars and have done nothing…The Length of a Contract and holding a young guy for next to nothing because its a rookie deal that wasn’t in the first 16 picks…Should be more like Basketball on Length & Money payed.
PS.
I know alot of Bengal fans don’t want to see Cedric resigned because he’d be a Free Agent at Age 28 which is considered ancient for a running back and past their prime.
who didn’t see this coming? you already have a contract……….
Why do people say AD? Isn’t his last name Peterson?
And to you people saying that asking for a raise is a dumb move, good luck in your own profession.
If you don’t ask, you will not receive. Bottom line.
—Chris Johnson needs to stfu..you never hear Adrian Peterson talking about a new deal or more $$$—
All Day was a top 8 Selection so got a very large deal…Chris Johnson was the 24th Selection so got a Very Small deal 5 years long
PS,I’m sure all day wants a new contract too
# Osterhouse says: February 1, 2010 6:12 PM
“Chris Johnson needs to stfu..you never hear Adrian Peterson talking about a new deal or more $$$”
Peterson doesn’t even have enough leverage to hang on to the ball, let alone renegotiate his contract.
Yeah and before this year A Peterson was the best thing since PB&J, what kind of year did he have this year? There is no way I would do anything this year with his contract! If he does it again next year and there is football in 2011 then yeah I would think about it.
As powerful as the player union is, I can’t believe they haven’t pushed for a rookie wage scale.
RB’s careers can end at any moment. Teams can cut guys that have contracts, why can’t he ask for a raise?
My last reply on this,Will you &&*(^( viking fans do alittle Research before you talk crap,Peterson Makes 3Million a year almost Chris makes 560,000…
If All Day was making less then what minimum Vets get payed I’m sure you’d hear him complaining too.
“Chris Johnson needs to stfu..you never hear Adrian Peterson talking about a new deal or more $$$”
If he didn’t have butterfingers maybe you would.
PaytheMan!
That being said, It is true he has very little leverage on receiving a raise right now, other than the fact that he has become the most lethal weapon in the NFL from the RB Position he still has 3 years left on the contract, had he have 1 year left he might be in total control of the situation.
Titans would be foolish and ignorant not to give him a new deal this offseason.
Especially if we go un-capped year Bud Adams will probably be bled dry.
He is a great back, but he is under contract through 2012. If I were the Titans I would make him proove it at least another year before tearing up the old deal.
Of course if someone holds out signing a contract for more $$$ then they are a tool…
‘Every coaches dream’ better prove himself in 2010 if he really wants a new contract. If he does, he’ll get what he’s looking for. As for now, shut up and run the football.
@Osterhouse
Peterson was the 7th pick of his draft. He’s getting a lot of money. Chris Johnson isn’t even making half of that despite his production
You don’t hear about AP demanding more money because he’d fumble the pen!
All the good players ask for more money after a big year, but this is all the more reason there needs to be a rookie cap with standardized contracts and signing bonus limitations.
MJD did the same thing here and basically told JAX, pay me now or you’ll be paying me more later. He was right.
Who is this “AD” person who is the best RB in the game?
you fans are funny….he only had the most yards from scrimmage EVER and carried his team to the wins they did get, not to mention put fans in the stands yet he doesnt deserve a new contract?
Yet players like Jamarcus Russell make way more then him and I gather you think thats fair too? There needs to be a new cba and players should get paid according to way they play on an NFL football field, not college or the combine.
AD may be a helluva a runner but he needs to hold onto the ball. so he really isnt in a position to demand more money.
Comparing AD to CJ’s situation is apples and oranges. You all need to put down the pipe before comparing the two.
CJ’s total value: $12 mil
AD’s total value: $40.5 mil
And as for CJ being the new TO, nothing can be further from the truth. What the hell is the guy suppose to say if a reporter asks him? I mean, it’s not like he’s publicly campaigning. He answered the question. Next time he should respond “No, I’d love to play out this contract. With rookies getting contracts of over $40 million guaranteed without producing anything, I’d much rather stay at my current pay scale.”
I think I will go into work tomorrow and ask my boss for a new deal. These poor millionaires if feel so bad for the
Maybe if he use the money for grammar and English classes, but otherwise no. He’s a clown that the Titans don’t need. The Titans would be better off with Brady Quinn and Josh Cribbs and to send their current quarterback and Johnson up to Cleveland.
He has 3 years left on his contract and no viable leverage to force anyone to do anything. He needs to play hard for 2010 & 2011 and then talk about an extension for top dollars. That contract would take him to that magical “age 30″ when even the greatest RBs all seem to lose it.
—I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, in the event that his production falls off would he then be willing to negotioate a pay deduction? Didn’t think so. —
No but the team can cut the player,Ya they may take the cap hit but That’s downside for rewarding bloated contracts to squeeze room in to the cap ala Redskins.
They call him AD because on the Rookie Class of ’07 Show on NFL Network, when he was profiling himself he said his nickname was “AD” cause he could play All Day long at the best tempo.
However, all he has proven to us since then has been that he can fumble the ball ALL DAY Long.
Until NFL “contracts” are guaranteed, a player has every right in the world to expect to be paid commensurate with his production. And if he is grossly underpaid, he has every right to sit out.
If a players production is far less than his “contract”, the team can request he re-negotiate down, and if his “contract” far outweighs his production, he can be cut.
Notice I put the word “contract” in quotes because an NFL “contract” is a contract in name only. If one side can re-negotiate or void it for any reason at any time, the other side should have that right.
Such is the cruel mistress that is the rookie contract. The team either grossly overpays a young player (i.e. Raiders with JaMarcus Russell), or the team looks like Scrooge McDuck when compared to the production they get from the player for the bargain price (Titans and Johnson). Rarely do you ever look at a young player’s body of work and say, “Yeah, they paid that guy exactly what he was worth.”
Dammit, this rocket scientist finally realized they get paychecks in the NFL. I bet Lendale finally told him….
kvh59,
Good Point, however that would depend independently on Stats, we already have incentives in certain contracts that players can earn.
How do you reward Joe Thomas (Browns Left Tackle) for his outstanding performance?
Do you base it on the amount of Pan-Cakes he had throughout the season?
This isin’t Madden 2010.
Basing contract, and ultimately money on players performance would be too opignionated.
Casey Hampton makes as big an impact on the Steelers 3-4 Defense than any other player (Except possibly Troy Polamalu), but he never has the stats to show for it, his last Sack I believe, was in Super Bowl XL on Matt Hasselbeck.
Performanced Based Contracts may work for only certain players, but then again it would cause alot of selfishness.
Say if Rashard Mendenhall needed 10 Rush TD’s on the Season to get a 700 000$ Bonus on his Deal, Week 17 comes around, in the 4th Quarter and When down on the goal line, the ball given to Carey Davis. Robbing Rashard Mendenhall of 700 000$ for a Walk-In Touchdown
These are only possible situations that could produce themselves, and why I think it is not a good idea.
AD=All Day,a name he has had since a kid. His preferred nickname.Dad gave it to him when young. Learn it.Live it. Love it. Never call him AP again!
History shows players fall way off after a year like CJ had this year. Frankly, running back is the most overrated position in the league and there are plenty of guys that could run the ball in the Titans offense. Will they replicate what CJ did this year, probably not but neither will he.
$560,000 tough to live on that these days
Give me a break if anything give him a bonus based on his actions payed if played
Another one year wonder blow out your knee in week one and the team is stuck with that $560,000 pay day so take the risk sign based on what you do not what you say you can.
Or take that other job offer Gym Teacher or Trash Man
Each position should have a base pay then you get a bump for each year played Wild Card team a bump div champ a bump win the Conference another bump win the SB yet another bump
This is call bonuses base on actions not pay me or else.
This is also how many people make a living in this country that is if your not some union card carrying stiff
then you get end of year bonus for how well you played
Bet AP would hold that ball high and tight if he got paid less for having a case of the drops
So “AD” is all day? So is it in reference to how often he fumbles the football? AP is his name.
I understand what Johnson is saying, but, he needs to honor his contract. I’m not aware of any underperforming players giving any money back because they didn’t meet the expectations. So, while it may be unfortunate for Johnson right now because he is tied into a long-term contract, he will get his “payday” soon enough.
NashvilleSeahawk says:
February 1, 2010 6:37 PM
Maybe if he use the money for grammar and English classes, but otherwise no. He’s a clown that the Titans don’t need. The Titans would be better off with Brady Quinn and Josh Cribbs and to send their current quarterback and Johnson up to Cleveland.
In the words of Chris Johnson:
Yeah, dis NashvilleSeahawk is talkin’ about I gettin’ traded up in de snow and I says you don’t know where it at, It at me, Me go hard on 1st, 2nd and 3rd down.
In MY Words:
Your an Idiot.
He deserves it.
You haters apparently have never seen him play.
The Packers have the ugliest uniforms of all of pro sports,but their fans are by far the worst fans ever in the history of sports,ofcouse none of them got past the 9th grade.
Maybe if he use the money for grammar and English classes, but otherwise no. He’s a clown that the Titans don’t need. The Titans would be better off with Brady Quinn and Josh Cribbs and to send their current quarterback and Johnson up to Cleveland.
____________________________________
Wow, you’re dumb. Please take the Nashville out of your ID. You’re giving the great city a bad name.
AD is what he is suffering from
Pay the man, he clearly has outperformed his rookie contract. This is the exact reason there should be a wage scale so that someone like AP isn’t making millions more for similar production and others can’t even take their starting job (see Raiders QB) and getting paid more to be a backup.
He’ll just skip training camp and the preseason until he gets a new contract, which is probably smart anyways, since one major knee injury could end his career. His game is based entirely off of speed and quickness, a major injury could put an end to all that. So he is right to try and get paid as quickly as possible.
As for the Titans, the shrewd move would be to just sit on his contract and let him go get big money elsewhere, like they did with Haynesworth.
—I think I will go into work tomorrow and ask my boss for a new deal. These poor millionaires if feel so bad for the—
The ohhh poor football players make all this money fans are the worse…Difference is anyone can do your job retard can anyone run the ball like CJ?
It’s like a Mcdonalds flipper asking to be paid like a doctor…or asking a Doctor to work for nothing.
rams are bad with jackson. and a lot worse without him.
he still deserves to be higher paid.
the titans have more good RBs on the bench.
# kazkal says: February 1, 2010 6:25 PM
My last reply on this,Will you &&*(^( viking fans do alittle Research before you talk crap,Peterson Makes 3Million a year almost Chris makes 560,000…
If All Day was making less then what minimum Vets get payed I’m sure you’d hear him complaining too.
Hey kazkal maybe you need a little math lesson there bud………. I think a 5 yr $12 mil deal is $2.4 mil per, who cares if it is only $560K this year he already got his with the signing bonus.
Jackson gets paid the most because he is the best. He doesn’t fumble like AP, but yet he still is among the leagues elite, year after year on a 2-win franchise that lacks a QB and looks at 8 in the box nearly every snap. If jackson was anywhere else, he’d be extremely dangerous.
Looks like this guy’s greed equals his playing ability. I hope the Titans don’t cave on this. In no way, shape or form should they be giving him a new contract just 2 years into his rookie deal.
REMINDER… there is no such individual as “AD”. His name is either Adrian Peterson or AP. Get it right.
I dont think there is any reason not to ask.
We will know where the class is, if he is told NO.
But to ask, no harm in asking. But also no shame or harm in Titans saying NO.
He agreed to a deal and if he is told no than if he has any class he will honor his contract.
He isnt threatening to sit out he is just saying what he feels he is worth. You have to agree at this point.
I’m normally all for the “play out your contract and stfu” school of thought, but RB’s break down or get old really fast so i dont really blame them for looking for the money so fast.
Chapnasty2 says:
February 1, 2010 8:48 PM
REMINDER… there is no such individual as “AD”. His name is either Adrian Peterson or AP. Get it right.
————————————————–
No,you get it right jerkoff! Think I know my team dipshit!From Wikipedia:
Adrian Lewis Peterson[2] (born March 21, 1985 in Palestine, Texas[3][4][5]), nicknamed “A.D.”(for “All Day”) or “Purple Jesus”,[6] is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.
It’s ok Chapnasty, nicknames are confusing. Throw in the similar initials and you’re bound to get confused.
He should be a man and honor his contract. If he’s still as good in a few years as he is now, then he should demand more through an extension.
If he felt that he was worth more coming into the NFL, he shouldn’t have signed the original contract.
Wow. I’m so honored to be among the only 50 or so people in the world who wouldn’t try to get more money out of their employer is they could. What a noble bunch, you are.
Chris Johnson is a hell of a RB, but a contract is a contract and he signed his.
Another year like the one he just posted should get the Titans to pay him what he feels he is worth. However, If he doesn’t get the extension he seeks, he should blame his agent for agreeing to a 5 yr deal…unless Chris Johnson was more than happy to sign considering he was given $7 million guaranteed, which probably seemed like a great offer considering he scored a 10 on the Wonderlic test.
Live and learn Chris. Live and learn.
haha i see what a lot of you are saying about honoring contracts and all that crap, but the guy is probably the best to come out of his draft class and is being paid as the , what 18th best or something ( don’t remember exact pick)?
the guy’s a stud and what do you want him to do, wait until he’s taken a few too many carries and then get a contract? he’s a little guy, and if someone gets a good shot on him, who knows what will happen. i agree that maybe one more year before new contract though. that seems reasonable.
—He should be a man and honor his contract. If he’s still as good in a few years as he is now, then he should demand more through an extension.
If he felt that he was worth more coming into the NFL, he shouldn’t have signed the original contract. —-
He’s a rookie it’s expected to sign to your slot and to 5 years,Being a rookie he can’t say he only wants 4 years or 3 years….This guy wasn’t a top 10 Draft pick he didn’t get 50million dollars as a unproven player…
What you Rtards seem to be ignoring is the Life of a Running back in the NFL They can’t play 8-10 years to get 2-3 Huge Contracts their lucky to get one…So when your top 2 Running back should you make as much as your backup? really? Jesus get over fact these guys make more money then your white trash Uncle Rico I could have went pro and i’d do it for half the money they make wannabe asses.
Tell him to stand on a box.
best in the league. but he is all about the money. just another one of them.
They should be required to give back the singing bonus if they get a new contract before the current one is up, or it should be added to the new figures somehow.
yo raktakretard: You seem to be ignoring the fact Chris Johnson signed a 5 yr contract (a lawfully binding agreement which is agreed upon by two parties) that binds him to the current contract he is playing out. $7 million of that is guaranteed! And you are right, that is certainly more than my white trash Uncle Rico makes (Isn’t Rico an Italian and/or Spanish name and a name not normally associated w. white anglo saxon people!?!)
Blame Johnson’s agent for doing something as stupid as signing the deal, but ask yourself this, why did Chris Johnson sign the offer if he felt it wasn’t fair!?! Signing something that he didn’t like would be stupid, right raktak?
Remember, playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. When you learn the basic principles of business/contracts, maybe all of this ‘crazy stuff’ will make sense to you.
See ya wanna be ass later!
Let’s analyze this right now……2 years into a 5 year deal….$12 million not enough for you?……..Your a sophomore in the league…..STFU Chris…you don’t have the upper hand here, Titans do and if I am them, I’m not giving you crap till the 4th year. It takes longevity to earn top of the line cash. Do it for another 2 years and then open your gold grill. Better yet, go to a pawn shop and cash in your teeth. Can’t stand players that think they deserve more. Work at Mcdonald’s if you need more money.
Everyone knows that RBs get drafted have a good few years and unfortunetly more so HBs then most other positions need to demand that big contract, because they are a dime a dozen and get cut at just look at players like LT, Alexand, and Portis. ALL THOUGH I think he is one of the special ones, I agree he deserves a raise, he was on of the reasons the Titans were atleast able to push towards a 6 seed. He is a knee injury from losing his speed and agility, so as Dieon would say “Pay da Man,”
yo raktakretard: You seem to be ignoring the fact Chris Johnson signed a 5 yr contract (a lawfully binding agreement which is agreed upon by two parties) that binds him to the current contract he is playing out. $7 million of that is guaranteed! And you are right, that is certainly more than my white trash Uncle Rico makes (Isn’t Rico an Italian and/or Spanish name and a name not normally associated w. white anglo saxon people!?!)
Blame Johnson’s agent for doing something as stupid as signing the deal, but ask yourself this, why did Chris Johnson sign the offer if he felt it wasn’t fair!?! Signing something that he didn’t like would be stupid, right raktak?
Remember, playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. When you learn the basic principles of business/contracts, maybe all of this ‘crazy stuff’ will make sense to you.
See ya wanna be ass later!
Oh, those poor billionaire NFL owners! Chris Johnson is bleeding them dry! What a jerk!
I hope he sits out, giving everyone a chance to reflect on what a talent he is.
Sincerely,
Someone Who is Angry His Favorite Team Didn’t Draft CJ
# Osterhouse says: February 1, 2010 6:12 PM
Chris Johnson needs to stfu..you never hear Adrian Peterson talking about a new deal or more $$$
Agreed. But how many fumbles did Johnson have again? And in critical moments of the game ? There’s no disputing Peterson is the best back in the game now.
I want a big raise too, but I’m not talking to the media about it.
Blame Johnson’s agent for doing something as stupid as signing the deal, but ask yourself this, why did Chris Johnson sign the offer if he felt it wasn’t fair!?! Signing something that he didn’t like would be stupid, right raktak?
Remember, playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. When you learn the basic principles of business/contracts, maybe all of this ‘crazy stuff’ will make sense to you.
See ya wanna be ass later!
——————————————————————
Are you kidding me? He has to sign that contract. If he doesn’t think it’s fair he holds out and everyone comes here and complains the guy wants more $ that is slotted for the 24th pick. The guy is clearly the best running back in football but makes a fraction of what the big names. How can you fault an underpaid guy for wanting to make more $?
See do you guys understand now the difference between what Desean Jackson wants and what other players which now include Chris Johnson wants.
Johnson wants his deal reworked and more money now while Desean wants to be extended. Theirs nothing wrong with wanting years added to your contract its a totally different thing to want your orginal contract disregarded for one worth 10 times the amount of money.
Players and Teams should honor their contracts. Which means no reworking your deals and no franshise tags. If both sides would do that their would be alot less drama in the NFL.
commentors on here are funny.. out of one side of their mouth they bitch because unproven rookies get too much money, and they scream “prove it”….
once a guy “proves it” out of the other side of the mouth they say, “too bad you’re under contract.” the guy is a stud, and should be paid. its not his fault the rookie scale is set up the way it is. what else does he have to do to prove it. 2 excellent seasons isnt a fluke.
“Cushing Will Kill You says:
February 1, 2010 6:16 PM
Gotsa buy mo gode toofs.
”
That would be “teefus”
Johnson is scheduled to receive $560,000 in 2010 salary. LenDale White, who Johnson has made irrelevant, collected $535,000 last season.
————————–
Chris Johnson didn’t make LenDale White irrelevant. Hardee’s made LenDale White irrelevant.
@ last starfighter:
“Are you kidding me? He has to sign that contract. If he doesn’t think it’s fair he holds out and everyone comes here and complains the guy wants more $ that is slotted for the 24th pick.”
————————————————–Are you saying Chris Johnson signed the contract because pos(t)ers on PFT.com would write their complaints about not signing a contract which included $7 million guaranteed!?! Wow. That is an interesting angle.
————————————————–
“The guy is clearly the best running back in football but makes a fraction of what the big names. How can you fault an underpaid guy for wanting to make more $?”
————————————————–
I agree, Chris Johnson is the best RB in the NFL. However, that does not change the fact he signed a 5yr deal (again, blame his agent) and unless the Titans are willing to restructure the deal, he is SOL. I have no problem w. Chris Johnson asking to restructure his contract w. the Titans (never did). My point is he signed a contract and unless the Titans are willing to restructure his deal, he has to honor the contract. Again, the opportunity to play in the NFL is a privelige, not a right.
ATTN: Writers -
It might be easier to post a list of players who are happy with their existing deal.
@ Pervy
I am so glad I came back to this today…. You are a complete moron. ANYONE can write things on wikipedia you moron. People like you shouldn’t be allowed to breed or vote. His name is Adrian Peterson or AP. Moron.
Chris Johnson wanta a big raise.
-I think he should contact Greg Oden. For a guy with the last name Johnson, he better stack up.
funny how everyone said Desean Jackson deserves a new contract when he too is only 2 YEARS INTO HIS ROOKIE CONTRACT!