Chris Johnson Latest: Titans RB to Hold out from Training Camp

The Tennessee Titans reported to camp on Friday without the franchise’s most dynamic player—Chris Johnson.

Johnson, the only Titan not to report on time, has announced he is willing to holdout in hopes of receiving a contract extension according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The former East Carolina Purple Pirate and three-time Pro Bowler had a similar position last summer when Johnson debated holding out following a 2,000 yard rushing season—only the sixth time that feat has been accomplished in NFL history. Johnson later reported after shifting around the finances at the end of his current deal.

Johnson is scheduled to make $800,000 in base salary on the final year of his rookie contract in 2011.  Every day he misses camp, Johnson faces $30,000 in fines and penalties.

The Associated Press states that the Titans are willing to discuss a new contract for perhaps the National Football League’s most elusive and explosive back. The problem is, Johnson is not there to partake in the discussion.

Johnson is looking for a new deal with a substantial amount of guaranteed money. More appropriately, he wants to be rewarded for his incredible production on the field in his first three seasons with Tennessee.

CJ2K—as he likes to be called after his stellar 2009 campaign—has racked up 4,598 rushing yards, an additional 1,008 receiving yards and 38 total touchdowns since being drafted in 2008. Johnson set an NFL record in 2009 when he accounted for 2,509 yards from scrimmage.

The Titans need to make fixing Johnson’s contract situation DEFCON 1. No rumors have stated that Johnson would request a trade or release, so it appears his interest is to stay in Tennessee at this time.

Several free agent deals established this last week could play a vital role in determining what exactly Johnson’s worth is in dollars and sense.

Carolina inked DeAngelo Williams to a new five-year, $43 million contract last Wednesday. Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles agreed to a five-year, $32.5 million contract extension last December. Maurice Jones-Drew signed a five-year, $31 million contract in 2009. The season before, the Rams and Steven Jackson agreed upon a six-year, $48.5 million deal that made him the richest back in the NFL.

While Johnson prepares for a holdout, several other running backs across the NFL debate to take the same action.

Frank Gore has already told San Francisco he doesn’t plan to arrive until he is compensated with a new contract. Matt Forte of the Bears also feels he has out-performed his rookie deal in which he is slated to make only $500,000 while backup Chester Taylor makes $1.25 million. Forte reported to Bears camp and does not plan to hold out.

While teams are opening up the checkbooks and beginning to make some bank accounts richer, Tennessee must cut a nice fat check that begins with, “Pay to the Order of: Chris Johnson.”

Follow Brett Lyons on Twitter @BrettLyons670.