Source: Texans plan to cut Andre Johnson if he refuses pay cut

So very true. Not to mention the fact that they DON'T have a QB that can properly utilize his talents, $18M for AJ is simply wasted cap space. This was, as you correctly pointed out, a foregone conclusion - a sad one nonetheless but sad all the same.

 

It's only the right move for the Texans if they improve... So we will see.

 

Let's not forget - he had, despite a total collapse under center, a tremendous 2013. They kept him because he was still earning his money, they likely wanted him to help transition the team to it's new regime, and, I'm sure, McNair was sincere in wanting him to finish his career here.

But two things were fairly evident in 2014 - and I don't think anyone anticipated either happening: 1) Hopkins clearly progressed and became not only the team's best WR but one of the league's better WRs; b) AJ wasn't the same player. I can't answer why (age? injury? disinterest?) but he absolutely regressed. He can talk about 85 receptions all he wants; we all know that was, at the end of the day, a fairly empty number.

 

So, who wants to bet he signs with the Colts?

http://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space/

*ducks*

 

That's sort of a convoluted argument... as you'd think an "elite" QB would be able to do more with less, and most definitely would not mandate having a WR that eats up that much cap space. I see elite QB's spread the ball around and utilize all their weapons... and at the very least, Hopkins is approaching that upper tier of WR's if that is what is required to "win" (which its not).

 

He could... and they have cap space... but not really sure what sort of touches he'd expect to get with TY, Wayne, Fleener, and Luck's ability to spread it around.

 

That's silly. It's the right move, period. He makes too much money, produces too little (as of last year), and obviously didn't want to be here any more. The team has an elite WR (they don't need two) and a list of far greater holes to fill.

If he catches 3,000 passes and single-handedly plays all 11 offensive positions in next year's Super Bowl victory, it was still the right move.

 

One could say that with a $16-18 million dollar cap figure, his presence on the roster would severely limit their ability to improve... even if he reverts to playing at an all-pro level (which is highly unlikely).

 

I'd rather they waste their money of AJ than DeMarco Murray (which is the REALLY big fear, IMO).

 

Wayne and Nicks are UFA.

 

If I were the Colts, I wouldn't resign either Wayne or AJ... but they'll probably make a decision on one. And at this stage, what make Andre Johnson a better player than Reggie Wayne (who also wins the "sentimental" card for Indy).

Still would remain to be seen how many touches he'd get there. They need RB's and LB's desperately, so it would be doing the Texans a solid if they load up resources on more WR's.

 

Yes one could say that... So we will see if the Texans improve. Because if the Texans don't improve it doesn't mean it was a good move for both parties. But maybe the Texans can replace what AJ brought to the table with the extra cap space they now have...

 

It was a good move for both parties; the relationship had obviously soured.

Or, you know, with the elite WR they already have on the roster. AJ will not be missed, production-wise.

 

There was only one way Andre was going to remain a Texan... he was going to have to take a pay cut.

He disagreed... will have to take a pay cut elsewhere as is... and the Texans get flexibility to re-sign their own free agents and improve much more important needs on the roster.

 

We'll see... Everything is settled on the field.

 

And that's why I originally said we'll see if (or how much) they improve. Simple as that.

 

This decision was one made due to there being a salary cap in football.... simple as that.

Might as well prepare for Foster to be cut next off-season, so we can limit the egregious responses here where people "didn't see it coming".

 

By what? One year? Team started in 2002. Andre got here in 2003. Oh yeah, you've invested yourself SOOOO much more in the Texans than he has.

 

I think he ends up in SEA, GB, DEN, IND, or CAR

 

Doubtful. All of those teams, save Seattle, already have at least one WR on their roster better than AJ - and the Seahawks are a run-first team that just made back-to-back Super Bowls with arguably the worst WR corps in football.

If he wants to play for a contender, he's likely going to have to take much less money. If he wants to get paid, he'll likely end up in a place like Oakland.