The New York Jets have been looking for offensive play makers all off-season, and have finally added a big one today signing free-agent running back Chris Johnson to a two-year deal. Adam Schefter of ESPN was the first to break the news on Twitter.
Former Titans RB Chris Johnson reached agreement with Jets on a two-year deal, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 16, 2014
The back, recently released by the Tennessee Titans, should be able to improve the Titans running attack as well as an element in the passing game with his good receiving skills out of the back field.
The 28-year-old Johnson was the Titans first round draft pick in 2008 out of East Carolina, and has spent his entire NFL career with the club. He is currently rehabbing from off-season arthroscopic knee surgery, but is expected to be ready to play before the Jets open training camp, and may even be ready for some post-draft work.
Last year was one of the worst of Johnson’s career, rushing for just 1,077 yards and six touchdowns on a 3.9 yards per carry average. He did add another 345 yards and four touchdowns in the receiving game.
It was a far cry for Johnson’s best year, 2009, when he rushed for 2006 yards and 14 touchdowns and averaged 5.7 yards per carry. He also added 503 yards and two touchdowns receiving that year.
The Jets are hoping that Chris Johnson can rebound to be something close to the 2009 version, and can take a lot of the pressure off quarterbacks Geno Smith and Michael Vick in the Jets offense this season.
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