Would C.J. consider a pay cut? No way

Titans running back Chris Johnson made three things clear on Thursday:

–He still feels like he’s one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL.

–He’d like to return to the Titans next season, and he’s trying to ignore talk that suggests they could move on without him.

–He won’t take a pay cut in order to return to the Titans.

The sixth-year pro has 950 yards heading into Sunday’s season finale against the Texans and is scheduled to make $8 million next season.

Following a year when he made $10 million, the Titans are expected to look closely at whether he’s worth the investment.

Asked if he would take a pay cut, Johnson said: “No way. I don’t feel like it’s all my fault. It’s a team effort.”

The three-time Pro Bowl selection said he’d lean on his agent’s advice if the Titans wanted him to restructure a contract that has three more years left and calls for him to make base salaries of $8 million in 2015 and $7 million in 2016. Giving up money won’t be an option, however, he said.

Johnson admitted his yardage total has been a blow to his pride, but not his confidence.

“I know I am way better than trying to get 1,000 yards in the last game,” he said. “But looking at the situation, it is a whole bunch of things that go into it. So I don’t get too down on myself. I know when I get the ball and put in the right situation I can still do the same things.”

Johnson has just one 100-yard game this season – 150 against the Rams on Nov. 3 – and is coming off a 90-yarder against the Jaguars.

The player who posted a 2,006-yard season in 2009 and had 1,200-plus yards in four of his first five NFL seasons said he could return to that form.

“There’s not a doubt in my mind I can get back there,” Johnson said. “I have taken so many hits since I first got into the league, but I can still run in the 4.2s, and I don’t know many guys six years in at running back who can say that.”

So what happens if the Titans opt to get rid of Johnson?

“I don’t think I’ll be out of work long,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do about it. At the end of the day I’ve had a great time here and I appreciate all they have done for me. … I think it would be sad on both parts, but being in this league for so long I understand there is a business side of it.”

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Posted In: League News, Team News

Source: Titans Insider