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Chris Johnson is coming off a season in which he rushed for 2,006 yards and was even threatening the single season yardage mark (2,105) set by former Ram, Eric Dickerson.The Titans should be ecstatic, no?
I would be of two minds on the situation with the most recent reports running rampant through the media outlets today. Chris Johnson wants a contract extension, and a big one at that. (We have ourselves a plural nickname, PAY DA MEN!)
"I think I deserve to be the highest paid running back in the league, or even the highest paid offensive player besides the quarterback," Johnson said.
Johnson is only two years removed from signing his five year, $12 million contract as rookie, and still has three years remaining, but the Titans may be better off getting him locked up for a long long time rather than postponing an extension and possibly losing, in my opinion, the best running back in the league.
Johnson holds almost no leverage in the matter. As stated earlier, he still has three years remaining on his contract, and the ball is in the Titans court at this point.
However, Johnson has had two of the most productive seasons as a running back in the league the past two years, and has even represented the Titans in the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, and this year as well.
While the two sides don't necessarily need to come to an agreement immediately, talks between them must start as soon as possible to at least assure Johnson that they at least intend on compensating him for his work put in.
The Titans GM, Mike Reinfeldt, may differ in opinion from me, but I would rather extend a guy early, than potentially irritate him and lose him permanently.
Johnson has stated that he wants to do things quietly and not through the media. That's something for which the Titans should commend him.
We all know how nice the media is.
