The Texans are doubling down on their stunning trade made a year ago -- at least for one more season.
Houston has agreed to terms on a restructured one-year deal with running back David Johnson, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The new contract is worth up to $6 million with $4.25 million guaranteed at signing, Rapoport added; Johnson's total cash is lower than in his previous contract, but his full guarantee for 2021 more than doubles from $2.1 million.
While Johnson will return to the Texans lineup, the team released cornerbacks Mark Fields and Brandon Williams, Rapoport reported.
Johnson arrived in Houston last offseason by way of the blockbuster trade that saw DeAndre Hopkins move west to the Cardinals in exchange for draft picks and Johnson, who filled a need at running back for the Texans. Johnson posted a career-high yards per-carry average of 4.7 yards on 147 attempts, scoring six touchdowns in the process, but he was far from a game-changing back in his first season with the Texans.
With Houston in an unenviable position -- quarterback Deshaun Watson has not relented on his request to be traded -- retaining Johnson at least answers one question for a team not expected to do much in 2021. While the Texans figure out how to address their many other needs, they'll at least know they have Johnson returning, even if the unrelated Duke Johnson is no longer with them.
Here's other news Around The NFL is monitoring on Tuesday:
- The Las Vegas Raiders signed defensive end Kendal Vickers to a one-year contract extension. They also waived linebacker Ukeme Eligwe and defensive end Jeremiah Valoaga.
- The Minnesota Vikings released former Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph.
- The Miami Dolphins have informed linebacker Kyle Van Noy that he will be released after one season, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported.
- The New Orleans Saints have had conversations about potentially dealing defensive tackle Malcom Brown, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
- The Jets released defensive lineman Henry Anderson. The sixth-year veteran was due $8.2 million and will save New York nearly that against the cap, per Rapoport.