The annual match-up between two AFC South foes just received a bit of added intrigue.
Wide receiver Andre Johnson confirmed Wednesday that he has signed with the Indianapolis Colts. According to CBS Sports Jason La Canfora, the deal is for three years and worth a total of $21 million. Johnson had two years remaining on his previous contract with Houston before he was released by the Texans on Monday after 12 seasons with the team.
Andre Johnson's 3 year deal with the Colts is worth $21M. Gets to face the Texans twice a year. Adds some spice to that division
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 11, 2015
The 33-year-old Johnson has virtually every significant record relating to receiving for the Texans being the second first-round draft pick in franchise history. Drafted out of Miami (FL) in 2003, Johnson has played his entire career in Houston and currently has 13,597 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns to his name.
The move by the Colts to sign Johnson is an interesting one to say the least. The position became a significant team need after Indianapolis decided not to re-sign an aging Reggie Wayne. Instead of looking to go with youth, the Colts are committing significant money to a player who isn’t much younger than Wayne.
Age aside, the Colts receiving corps is getting a proven commodity that will be catching passes from perhaps the NFL’s best young quarterback in Andrew Luck. One thing that had been missing for Johnson in Houston was precisely that. He also began to see less targets the past few years in favor of DeAndre Hopkins. The second-year player finished 2014 with 300 more receiving yards and three more touchdown receptions than Johnson.
The seven time Pro-Bowler is taking a bit of a pay cut to continue his career in Indianapolis. In 2007, he signed a six-year, $60 million contract which was extended to 2016 four years later.
One thing’s for sure, Luck has an experienced weapon that should play a significant role in ensuring Indy’s hold over this division.
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