WR Andre Johnson Reportedly Interested in Coming to Green Bay as a Free Agent

After being released by the Houston Texans, the seven-time Pro Bowler looks to join a contending football team this upcoming season.

Former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson—Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports.

Former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson—Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports.

Recently released wide receiver Andre Johnson is apparently interested in playing for the Green Bay Packers, at least according to his brother.

That's the word from reporter Terry Blount of ESPN.com:

The 33-year-old Johnson is a 13-year veteran of the NFL, the Houston Texans all-time leading receiver and a seven-time Pro Bowler.

Knowing he doesn't have much left in the tank, it's no surprise that the four teams Johnson is interested just so happen to be the four teams that advanced to their respective conference championship games last season.

It's probably no coincidence that each team is led by a top-flight quarterback too, including the Packers' Aaron Rodgers.

Even though the Packers aren't typically the team active on the free agent market, this isn't a rumor to immediately dismiss. It makes sense in the same way that acquiring Julius Peppers did a year ago.

Packers beat reporter Rob Demovsky indicates there is interest in Johnson on the team's behalf, although it's difficult to know exactly how much:

Because Johnson was released, he will not count in the team's compensatory pick formula should he be signed by the Packers, which is an important distinction.

The biggest question is how much money will Johnson command and can the Packers fit him underneath their salary cap?

If Johnson is truly motivated by playing for a contending football team, it likewise makes sense that he'll accept a sizable pay cut compared to his last contract, but it remains to be seen precisely how much.

It's difficult to tell exactly how much money the Packers have left under their salary cap until exact details of Randall Cobb's newly-signed contract become available.

Money availble will also continue to dwindle as the Packers keep signing their own free agents, particularly if they re-sign players like offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga and cornerback Davon House, each of whom are expected to earn considerable raises.

Although the Packers re-signed Cobb, there's room for a player of Johnson's caliber on the offense as long as he's willing to accept he won't be the star of the show.

In 2014, Johnson was still a productive receiver, catching 85 passes for 936 yards (11.0 ypr) and three touchdowns. Each of those totals, however, were the lowest of the past three seasons and represent a small dropoff.

Rodgers has experience distributing the football to a deep receiving corps, particularly in 2011 when—in addition to Cobb—the Packers had a group that included Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, James Jones, Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley at tight end.

Nelson and Cobb, as two players that are earning nearly $10 million per season figure to remain the top two options in the Packers passing game, so it's fair to ask where Johnson would fit in with Davante Adams, who will be entering his second season in the NFL as an up-and-coming player.

The Packers also have wide receivers Jared Abbrederis and Jeff Janis to develop after selecting each as late round draft choices this past season.

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Comments (20)

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HankScorpio's picture

March 10, 2015 at 07:31 am

When it comes to guys released yesterday, I would prefer the Packers take a good look at Curtis Lofton.

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L's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:48 am

After Bulaga gets resigned at a home town discount like it sounds like he might and then the Packers turn their attention to resigning T.Williams and BJ.Raji I'd love to see them bring in and kick the proverbial tires on both C.Lofton and A.Johnson. I would add T.Cody to that list too, but with the allegations of animal cruelty that he's facing I doubt the Packers front office will want to risk the PR disaster that could create. While C.Lofton helps fill a true need for the team A.Johnon on the other hand most certainly could make our receiving corps the most dangerous in the league and one of the most dangerous of all time. The thing with those two will be about their asking price as the Packers will want to sign them at a noticeable discount; especially, A.Johnson which is probably why he ultimately ends up going to Seattle or NE over GB.

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Evan's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:34 am

With Seattle signing Cary Williams, I assume that takes them out of Tramon. Eagles are giving Maxwell huge money, but they could still go after him.

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L's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:53 am

I agree, with Seattle signing C.Williams I think that takes some of the bargaining power away from T.Williams. With D.House leaving for JAX it's pretty imperative that the Pack bring him back on a team friendly 2 year deal while they look to groom C.Hayward to replace him as the outside starting CB and/or draft for that replacement/further depth.

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Clay Zombo's picture

March 10, 2015 at 09:51 pm

Anybody remember what happened the last time GB signed an aging former #1 WR with the first name of Andre. I do.

Id sign him and line him up at TE if I had to, hes a big physical receiver and better blocker than Quarless so why not. Thanks for locking up Cobb and Bulaga but why stop there. Seahags got Graham now lets get a guy for half his price tag for eill end up being similar production.

Pretty please Ted.

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White92's picture

March 10, 2015 at 07:33 am

Hard for me to think of this as more than a tease. I would think any extra free agent money would be spent on defense if they lose House and Williams, or perhaps a vet offensive tackle.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 10, 2015 at 07:52 am

I agree.

But damn, does that sound good. A physical WR.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 10, 2015 at 08:33 am

If they got him for the a good price, I would have no problem if they brought Johnson in. I would embrace it actually.

Just think of our 'starting' 4. Nelson, Cobb, Johnson, Adams. That is a lethal 4. Not many DB's can spread that thin and cover that many guys. Especially when you factor in they can bring Lacy in to run or catch passes out of the backfield. They can motion Cobb into the backfield and still be able to run the ball. It makes the offense more versatile and dangerous then it ever has been. There is nothing wrong with making a strength even stronger.

Another thing that I like about if they brought Johnson in, is it would give Janis another year to learn the offense and learn how to play in the NFL. And it puts less pressure on Abbrederis this year who is coming off of a torn acl.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

March 10, 2015 at 08:57 am

If I take Davante's playoff stats and project his next season with those I get.

rec 64, tgts 112, yds 984, avg 15.5, 8 tds

No thanks Andre. If there is a veteran MLB or TE who wants to come in on the cheap for a shot at the SB then great.

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zoellner25's picture

March 10, 2015 at 09:04 am

They could dump Boykin if this happens, but unless he takes the vet minimum, I don't see this happening. He wants a ring, obviously, judging by his final four teams.

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tm_inter's picture

March 10, 2015 at 09:31 am

The Packers already have 5 WRs in Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Abbrederis, and Janis. What they need are ILB, CB, OL, DL, and another TE.

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HankScorpio's picture

March 10, 2015 at 10:42 am

I'm with you, tm_inter. With Cobb back in the fold, I'd look to spend my cap dollars shoring up other areas. Given what we think we know about Packer FA is moving on, I think I even agree with the order you list (ILB, CB, OL, DL, and another TE). I'm not sure if that was your priority ranking or just the way you listed them. But it looks good for a priority to me.

Having said that, if there is zero market for Johnson, I'd sign him for a bargain basement price ($2 mil, 1 yr)

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Evan's picture

March 10, 2015 at 10:16 am

@RapSheet 3m
#Jaguars set to add another big-time FA: Ascending former #Packers CB Davon House is set join them at $6.25M per year

Dammit.

But that's A LOT of money for House. Good for him. Packers would have been insane to top that.

CB is now a major priority.

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RCPackerFan's picture

March 10, 2015 at 10:50 am

For me that is to much money for a guy that has been that injured and inconsistent. $5 million is about the most I would have been comfortable with.

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White92's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:12 am

Maybe they can seize the window and go for Revis. I doubt it will happen, but apparently he's out there.

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DrealynWilliams's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:29 am

The Jags defense is stout. Smh, that offense is the total opposite.

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Point-Packer's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:00 am

No chance. Colts or SeaBirds. Hopefully TT's " interest" makes one of the two pay more than what they intend.

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Evan's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:13 am

‏@pecrawleynfl 43s
Per @RapSheet Packers offer to Bryan Bulaga is $6M+ per year. He wants to stay in GB.

Get it done!

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Evan's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:16 am

Mike Dietrich ‏@dvond 2 minutes ago
And the #Packers get another hometown discount in Bulaga, 6mm under 28, must be nice, such a huge advanatge

Is it done???

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Evan's picture

March 10, 2015 at 11:29 am

Ian Rapoport ‏@RapSheet 1 minute ago
The #Packers are expected to keep OT Bryan Bulaga, source says. They are closing in on a deal. High priority for them.

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