Why the New York Jets Will Not Acquire Andre Johnson

Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik speaks during a press conference during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Johnson looks to be leaving Houston soon and will provide quality at the wide receiver position to whatever team picks him up. It is no secret by now that the relationship between Andre Johnson and the Houston Texans has soured, with Johnson reportedly wanting out. Johnson was a part of a franchise that was ascending for a while, getting one step better season after season, until progress plateaued and the franchise took a nosedive last season. Johnson has repeatedly restructured his contracts for the Texans showing a team first attitude with a desire to give the Texans the best chance to acquire further talent. He has very little to show for it now (except for a base salary of 10 million next season), with the Texans finishing last in the NFL last season.

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The next question is will the Jets make a good home for Johnson, and will John Idzik go out and get him? Unfortunately, probably not! It is no secret that the Jets severely lacked quality playmakers on the offensive side of the ball last season. The Jets brought in free agent WR Eric Decker but a lot of people question how effective he can be without Demaryius Thomas taking pressure off him and Peyton Manning throwing him the ball. The Jets then went out and snagged a quality pass catcher in the second round of the draft in TE Jace Amaro, followed by a plethora of wide receivers in the later rounds. Clearly Idzik is trying to find a diamond in the rough with this approach, giving himself multiple opportunities to do so.

Andre Johnson is now 32 years old, and will cost whatever team decides to trade for him either a first or second round draft pick, as well as a hefty 15 million dollars against the cap. Mike Tannenbaum might have been all over this opportunity but this is not Idzik’s style. Idzik prefers frugality, and finding young talent in the draft to build around. Could Andre Johnson help the Jets? Yes, for a couple of years going forward but it will not be a long term solution. Will Idzik look to acquire Johnson? Almost certainly that answer is a no. Idzik will continue doing what he is doing, finding quality at a team friendly price and preserving the tools to keep it a competitor going forward.