Chad Johnson: Retirement Is Best Option for Wide Receiver Following Arrest

Chad Johnson is 34 years old and without a team following his arrest on charges of domestic assault, it should stay that way at this point.

Johnson has had one productive season out of his last four. He broke 1,000 yards with the Bengals in 2009, but even that was just barely (1,047). He also caught nine touchdowns that year, equaling the total caught in 2008, 2010 and 2011 combined.

Granted, every player had their downward slope. Johnson hasn't played 16 games since 2009 and he shouldn't be expected to be "the guy" anymore, but he would have been in Miami this season. With Brandon Marshall joining his old quarterback in Chicago, Johnson was going to be Matt Moore, David Garrard or maybe Ryan Tannehill's top option this season.

Now that's gone. His unique personality makes him tough enough to sign at this point in his career. His recent legal troubles make him that much more difficult.

It's not that Johnson should be viewed as a "criminal" or perpetual troublemaker. He's never been in trouble like this before, and I always viewed his antics as mostly harmless. If you want to look at obnoxious personalities, Terrell Owens was always far worse in terms of cancerous qualities, at least for me.

But how can you justify signing Johnson at this point?

He didn't produce in New England last season. Granted he was under-utilized, but he still suited up for 15 games. There's a reason he only caught 15 passes in that span, and that, once again, goes back to his physical regression.

Johnson could get picked up, but he's going to have to wait awhile. A mid-season injury could leave a team looking for a viable veteran option, and Johnson could be that guy.

Until then, Johnson will be wondering what could have been. He was buried in the Patriots' depth chart last season, but Miami was supposed to be his great resurgence. 

I find myself rooting for Johnson. He annoys me, makes me roll my eyes and I'm always wondering what name he's going by, but he's likable to me for some reason.

At this point, he'd be best suited to use his talents in something other than football. In case his numbers weren't enough evidence to hang it up, being cut from Miami's roster should be.