The Houston Texans have restructured David Johnson's contract, giving him more guaranteed money in order to reduce the cap.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Johnson's new deal is worth up to $6 million, with $4.25 million guaranteed.
Source: The #Texans have agreed to terms on a new contract for RB David Johnson, with his one-year deal worth up to $6M with $4.25M fully guaranteed at signing. Johnson stays in Houston.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2021
David Johnson was previously due a base salary of $7.95M with just $2.1M guaranteed.
Johnson gets more money guaranteed and ensures he'll stay with the Texans this season, while Houston reduces his cap number down from $8.813M. https://t.co/0aWOaTrM90
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 2, 2021
The Texans could have saved over $6.4 million in cap space had they simply cut ties with Johnson. However, Houston has already parted ways with Duke Johnson and with a slimmed-down backfield, figured it could create cap space while still keeping its starting running back.
Johnson will forever be associated and linked with the DeAndre Hopkins trade. However, he did put together an excellent campaign in his first season with the Texans. The 29-year-old rushed for 691 yards on 4.7 yards per carry, also hauling in 33 receptions for 314 yards. Johnson finished the season with over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns, despite playing in just 12 games.
Granted, the numbers are a bit deceptive. Johnson actually struggled early in the season but became an explosive offensive playmaker down the stretch. He had 11 receptions for 106 yards in Week 15, then rushed for a combined 212 yards and two scores in his final two games.
The Texans will likely rely on Johnson to anchor the ground game. It remains to be seen whether he will be lining up behind Deshaun Watson or someone else.
Houston's handling of Watson's trade demands should continue to swallow the focus surrounding the team. The star signal-caller has said he has no intention of playing for the Texans, while Houston's management has continued to say it will not trade him.
The quarterback situation is unresolved, but the Texans will keep Johnson as the starting running back after restructuring his deal.
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