So now being in the final year of his original contract signed as a rookie in the NFL, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans wants a new deal. Nothing wrong with this right? Well that depends. Johnson is not just looking for a new contract, but a contract that pays him top dollar. Not just top dollar among his NFL running back counterparts, but top dollar as in amongst the highest paid players in league. Now don't get it twisted, Chris Johnson is a tremendous talent, fun to watch, and deserving of a new contract that pays significantly more than what he's due to earn. Though, with that said being paid along side Manning, Brady, Bradford, and several others who are more tenured is a bit much to ask. The first three individuals mentioned are quarterbacks and understandably deserve the big bucks. Johnson as great as he is, plays the running back position and is more interchangeable with another back should he be injured unfortunately. The same can’t be said for those quarterbacks.
Running backs have a short life span in the NFL. As witnessed last season running backs can come a dime a dozen, and seemingly out of nowhere at times. Do the names Peyton Hillis and Arian Foster mean anything? Basically these guys were under the radar just like Johnson initially and proved to be productive and effective for their respective teams. Now they may not be as fun to watch as Johnson, but they do produce. Also, as much as Johnson carries the ball for the mediocre Titans, he is prone to getting warn down sooner than later. He doesn't take many hard hits, but with that team not having any other serious offensive threats and a rookie quarterback teams will crowd the line keying in on him. Therefore, the odds are likely high he may take more hits and start slowing down over the next couple of years even while being in his prime.
With all this said Johnson does deserve to get a very handsome pay raise that makes him among the highest paid top two running backs in the NFL. However, being paid "quarterback money" is out of the question. Sure he’s had three very good seasons, but on any given Sunday he can take a hit and be done like Bo Jackson. It's understood he wants to be paid what he's worth, but he's simply not worth the salary comparable of the league's best quarterbacks. Sorry Chris. Get a good deal and get on the field and stop dreaming.
These sports people get paid way too much money. I don't care if they are ruining their bodies playing the game. It's just that...a GAME and they are getting paid to play.
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