How Chris Johnson Can Shake Up the NFC West This Season

The Arizona Cardinals added a former 2,000-yard rusher on Monday, signing running back Chris Johnson to a one-year deal, according to Bob Baum of the Associated Press and courtesy of Fox Sports. 

Johnson's contract with the Cardinals is worth less than $1 million but includes incentives to get that number up. Ed Werder of ESPN tweeted the contract's details:

The only numbers the Cardinals care about moving forward are the ones Johnson puts in box scores this season. In seven NFL seasons, Johnson has rushed for at least 1,000 yards six times—in 2009, he became the sixth back in NFL history to break 2,000 yards with 2,006.

The Cardinals' signing of Johnson is indicative of how they plan on attacking the NFC West. Arizona needed a back to help pound the ball against the division's tough group of defenses. The team averaged just 3.3 yards per rushing attempt last season, which was worst in the league. 

Arizona has a fast offense, though, that includes wide receiver John Brown and running back Andre Ellington. Johnson should prove to be a physical complement to Ellington, who is often used as a receiver. An effective Johnson would help take some of the load off of Ellington, ideally keeping both backs fresher throughout the season. 

Make no mistake—the Cardinals want to win the NFC West in 2015 after finishing 3-3 within it in 2014.

And they seemingly have a great opportunity to do so, with the San Francisco 49ers reeling from a nasty offseason, the Seattle Seahawks losing key players on both sides of the ball and the St. Louis Rams still climbing toward relevancy. It wouldn't be outlandish to say the Cardinals are NFC West favorites entering the season.

Adding Johnson certainly doesn't hurt the team's shot at a division title. 

If there's any division in the NFL that has shown the benefits of physical football, it's the NFC West. The 49ers and Seahawks have both made recent Super Bowl runs with the help of stout defenses and running games. Johnson will improve the Cardinals' paltry rushing attack from a season ago.

Don't get too excited, however—In 2014, Johnson started six games and averaged 4.3 yards per attempt in a disappointing season with the New York Jets. While the Cardinals are a better team than the Jets, it's still hard to see Johnson in anything but a complementary role with his new team.

Here is the handful of highlights from Johnson's time in New York:

Considering what Arizona paid for Johnson, it was still a good move to add him. He brings veteran leadership to a young group of running backs that includes rookies David Johnson and Paul Lasike.

Just imagine if Johnson breaks out, even for a 1,000 yard season. It's a big "if," like so many others in the NFL, but it would make the Cardinals a legitimate contender in the NFC West and beyond. And after paying less than $1 million for him, the Cardinals would be thrilled with that kind of production. 

It will be interesting to see how Johnson fares in preseason games. Even though the former Titan and Jet is a veteran—Johnson turns 30 in September—reps behind his new offensive line will be key as Johnson begins to forge a role with the Cardinals. 

Arizona was hindered by quarterback injuries last season, but still managed to make the playoffs. If Chris Johnson shows even flashes of his former, record-setting self in 2015, the Cardinals will be that much closer to their Super Bowl aspirations.