Andre Johnson asks to be cut by Texans

UPDATE

It looks like the deepest free-agent class of receivers is going to get even deeper with the addition of Andre Johnson, per Pro Football Talk:

Agent Kennard McGuire tells PFT that he has asked the Texans to cut WR Andre Johnson. McGuire has not and will not try to seek a trade.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 4, 2015

Johnson isn't going to get the kind of deal Randall Cobb or even Torrey Smith get, but he's still going to be one of the four or five best receivers on the market that don't have the franchise tag on them.

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The Houston Texas are moving on from longtime receiver Andre Johnson.

According to the Houston Chronicle's John McLain, the Texans have given him permission to seek a trade after the team told Johnson he would be taking a reduced offensive role going into 2015.

Johnson, 24, got the message loud and clear that he isn't wanted in Houston anymore, and now he's set to either be traded or released if a suitor is not found.

The Texans wanted Johnson, who will turn 34 in July and will be a Hall of Fame candidate when his career is over, to take a reduced role next season, and he declined, according to people familiar with the situation, who also disclosed the two sides never discussed his contract. Rather than accept the reduced role, Johnson asked to be traded or cut.

If a trade can’t be worked out, Johnson will be cut and free to negotiate with any team. The Texans will save $8.825 million against the cap if Johnson is traded or cut, placing them $21.9 million under the cap.

Johnson later posted this on Instagram, effectively confirming his days as a Texan are over:

It's no real surprise that a divorce is coming, after Johnson missed the entire 2014 offseason program because Houston wouldn't guarantee his contract in 2015. That, and they never brought in another suitable quarterback to replace Matt Schaub, who Johnson had a strong friendship with.

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mallet aren't enough to help Johnson be a big-time receiver anymore, as he was limited to just 85 passes for 936 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season. It was just the second time in the previous seven seasons that Johnson failed to break the 1,000-yard mark.

He's no longer an All-Pro wideout, but Johnson will still be a great addition to whomever gets him this offseason.