The Houston Texans have restructured David Johnson’s contract, which will now be valued at up to $ 6 million in 2021, including $ 4.25 million, which was fully guaranteed when it was signed, a source told ESPN.
Johnson might have been a victim of a salary cap had he not restructured his contract.
Johnson would have been owed nearly $ 9 million in 2021, of which only $ 2.1 million was guaranteed before agreeing to the restructured deal.
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Houston acted for Johnson in a deal in March 2020 that sent recipient DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals.
Johnson ran for 691 yards and six touchdowns with 147 runs last season. He played in just 12 games, three missing with a concussion and one while on the reserve / COVID-19 list.
When the Texans were trading for Johnson a year ago, the deal was closed by former general manager and head coach Bill O’Brien, who was fired in October. By this time, Johnson was on the lowest production of his career and was receiving the keys to the Houston backfield.
Johnson’s best season was in 2016 for the Cardinals when he was elected to his only Pro Bowl and a first-team All Pro after scoring career bests in rushing yards (1,239), rushing touchdowns (16) and receptions (80) would have. Receiving yards (879) and yards from scrimmage (2,118 that led the NFL).
The Texans released Duke Johnson’s pass-catching return last week.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jeremy Fowler and Sarah Barshop contributed to this report.
