Chris Johnson: Titans Should Release Him Following 2012 Season

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson could fall forward every time he touches the ball and have more success than he is having thus far in 2012.

Regardless of whether the Titans offensive line is to blame, Johnson's dreadful play is inexcusable. Tennessee ranks last in the NFL in rushing offense, averaging just 29 yards per game on the ground entering Week 3.

Johnson is averaging a little more than a yard per carry for the 0-2 Titans. That makes Tennessee's decision on whether to re-sign him after the season an easy one. The Titans should cut bait with the struggling running back and avoid wasting a boatload of money on him in 2013.

Check out this tidbit from ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio: 

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Per a source with knowledge of Johnson’s contract, Johnson has a $10 million base salary in 2013.  Of that amount, $9 million becomes fully guaranteed if Johnson is still on the roster on the fifth day of the 2013 waiver period, which launches in the days after the Super Bowl.

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Eight figures for a running back who hasn't rushed for more than 61 yards in a game over his last six appearances and is set to turn 28 at the start of next season?

It makes zero sense for the Titans to bring back Johnson in 2013. His production has been declining ever since his incredible 2009 season. And following the decision to hang onto Johnson this past offseason for a hefty price tag of $8 million, according to Florio, Tennessee would be foolish to make the same mistake twice. 

After rushing for 2,006 yards and earning the nickname CJ2K in 2009, Johnson's yards, average and touchdown totals have fallen in every season. He rushed for 1,047 yards last season after racking up 1,364 rushing yards in 2010.

As for his yards-per-carry average, Johnson went from 5.6 yards per rush in 2009 to four yards per rush in 2011. 

Johnson's numbers will improve over the course of the season, but he isn't the same player he was three years ago.

For the Titans to risk millions on his potential in 2013 would be outright crazy.

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