The Houston Texans have presented disgruntled wide receiver Andre Johnson with options.
Ryan Fitzpatrick named Texans starting quarterback at the risk of losing Andre Johnson
Play here or go home.
The Houston Chronicle's John McClain -- apparently not the same John McClane from "Die Hard" -- guaranteed in a video that that Johnson will suit up for the Texans in the 2014 season opener against the Washington Redskins.
NFL.com, also citing McClain, reported that the Texans aren't holding any grudges against their holdout star wide receiver and are adamant that he finish his career in Houston.
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NFL.com added that the Texans aren't paying Johnson the $1 million workout bonus that he sought or guarantee his salary for 2015 because they don't want defensive end J.J. Watt's agent to have a precedent when Watt's contract is up for negotiation.
However, NFL.com's Ian Rappaport tweeted that Johnson has restructured his contract three times, all at the Texans' request, and simply wants to have the Texans reciprocate by giving him his bonus.
That logic is faulty, according to another NFL.com article, stating that "Johnson knew the penalty when he skipped the workouts."
Still, the Texans aren't merely playing hardball with Johnson. The second NFL.com article also reported that the franchise would take a $12 million cap hit if they were to trade their star wide receiver.
The same article goes on to speculate that Johnson wants to play football next season and will show up for the Texans' training camp.
Andre Johnson restructured his contract 3 times at the team’s behest. Wants same goodwill from #Texans for $1M bonus. Thinks he’s earned it
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 10, 2014
"A switch goes on at some point for a football player, even one who's holding out for business reasons," NFL.com reports. "Maybe it's missing the smell of the grass at training camp, missing teammates, dying to win. Players want to play football. Andre Johnson wants to play football."
He just has to do it in Houston, or else retire, as quarterback Carson Palmer did with the Bengals in 2011. But Johnson turned 33 on Friday, and chances are that his skills will continue to diminish as he ages.
Will Andre Johnson play for the Texans in 2014? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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