Andre Johnson Reportedly Will Be Released by Colts

Mike ChiariFeb 24, 2016

After a disappointing 2015 season, the Indianapolis Colts released seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson on March 4, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Continue for updates.

Johnson Comments on NFL Future

Saturday, March 5

"I am playing, there's no question about that," Johnson told NFL Media, per Austin Knoblauch of NFL.com. "I know I can still play this game...people read into the stories too much. I'm not discouraged about what happened this past season, I'm just waiting for an opportunity."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Feb. 24 that the 34-year-old is considering retirement and that if he does decide to play in 2016, it won't be for the Indianapolis Colts.

Johnson's Decline Continued With Colts

After the Houston Texans released him in March 2015, Johnson signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Colts (including $10 million guaranteed).

The move didn't pay dividends for Indy, as Johnson struggled through the worst season of his career, registering 41 receptions for 503 yards and four touchdowns.

Quarterback Andrew Luck's absence for much of the season didn't help matters, but even when Luck was in the lineup, Johnson was not among his preferred targets. Johnson was well behind T.Y. Hilton in the pecking order, as expected, but even Donte Moncrief and Coby Fleener had more production.

Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) stiff arms Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins (20) after making a reception. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Houston Texans 24-10, Sept. 10, 2006 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by B

Bob Levey/Getty Images

With 1,053 catches and 14,100 career receiving yards to his credit, Johnson is used to being the No. 1 guy, but he embraced his reduced role with the Colts, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star:

"
Like I've said before, you just have to do your part. You have to put your pride to the side. Yeah, anybody would like to have six, seven balls a game. But that's not what it is. I've said before, it can be my day today and somebody else's day tomorrow. ... That's the biggest thing when you're trying to achieve that ultimate goal: You have to do things that you haven't done before.
"

The former University of Miami standout has only made the postseason twice in his Hall of Fame-worthy career (in 2011 and 2012), and though Indianapolis looked like an ideal landing spot, things didn't work out.

With Hilton, Moncrief and 2015 first-round pick Phillip Dorsett in the fold, Johnson wouldn't have had much of a role moving forward.

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