Titans running back wants to set the market Aaron Wilson
Tennessee Titans star running back Chris Johnson would like to enter an even higher tax bracket.
The Pro Bowl runner would like to become the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
He has three years remaining on his rookie deal and is due $560,000 next season after rushing for 2,006 yards this past season.
“Hopefully, they’ll want to give me a new deal," Johnson told the Tennessean after scoring the game-winning touchdown for the AFC squad in the Pro Bowl. " I think I deserve to be the highest paid running back in the league, or even the highest paid offensive player besides the quarterback.
“But it’s not like I am not going out in the media saying, ‘Pay me, I want a new deal now.’ I am just saying, if they were to pay me, I want that. Hopefully, they want that, too.’’
What's the market scale for a top running back?
Well, St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson is the highest paid runner with a five-year, $48.5 million pact.
Steven Jackson of the Rams became the highest-paid running back in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $48.5 million contract in 2008.
And Maurice Jones-Drew signed a five-year, $31 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year.
Plus, Washington Redskins runner Clinton Portis is signed to a six-year, $49.1 million deal.
Johnson's production has dwarfed all of them.
He's playing under a $12 million rookie deal.
At this point, no talks are going on.
Eventually, the two sides figure to work something out.
“If you look at it, you can make the determination," Joel Segal, Johnson's agent, said regarding a raise being in order for the former East Carolina standout. “There will be a time for that, just not now.’’
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Memo to Chris Johnson:
banks already broken
see also, he bailout bill.
Feb 01, 2010
10:50 PM
Well, Andrew Brandt talks about agents whispering in players' ears at the Pro Bowl all the time...