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UPDATE
The Titans have made it official, and Chris Johnson is now free to sign with whomever he wants:
Titans have released Chris Johnson, officially. Johnson free to sign with another team.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 4, 2014
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The Tennessee Titans are overhauling their roster, and running back Chris Johnson is going to be the next casualty as the result of it.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN, CJ2K will be released on Friday, clearing they way for any team to sign him, and the Dallas Cowboys may be one to watch for:
No great surprise, but Titans are releasing RB Chris Johnson today, per source close to situation. Johnson will be a free agent.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 4, 2014
Chris Johnson’s plan with Titans: Meet with Ruston Webster, take physical, get released. May fail physical for knee cleanup, fine long-term
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2014
Why might #Cowboys sign Chris Johnson? In 2008 draft, they were gonna pick him at 25, but #Titans grabbed him at 24. Dallas got Mike Jenkins
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2014
Due $8 million under his current contract, though, Johnson always has been more likely to be released than traded. His effort and "love for the game" have been questioned ever since he signed a four-year, $53.5 million extension in 2011.
It will be interesting to see how hard he plays once he's playing under a contract that pays him in the $3-5 million/year range he's expected to get.