AFP/New York
Andre Johnson was released by the Houston Texans on Monday, ending the star receiver’s 12-year tenure with the National Football League club after no trade deal could be made.
The 33-year-old pass catcher would have cost the Texans $16.1mn next season in the penultimate year of his contract, but his release frees up more than half that amount in salary cap space on the eve of the start of 2015 free agency signings.
“After exhausting all options of a possible trade, we informed Andre Johnson that he would be released,” Texans general manager Rick Smith said. “Andre is a Hall of Fame-caliber player and we appreciate his years of service and contributions to our team.”
Johnson was selected third in the 2003 NFL Draft and the longest-tenured player on the Texans, who have managed only four winning seasons since their 2002 debut. Houston’s only playoff wins came in first-round games against Cincinnati in the 2011 and 2012 campaigns.
Johnson has 1,012 career receptions for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns in 169 appearances for the Texans, including 85 catches for 936 yards and three touchdowns over 15 games last season.
The Texans told Johnson he would no longer be a featured receiver in the team’s offensive schemes next season and he had wanted to be released, but the team tried in vain to swing a trade deal.
Only two other NFL receivers, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne of the Indianapolis Colts, had more career catches while playing for only one team.