Chiefs announce that Derrick Johnson will be allowed to test free agency in March

[Stinger]

Per Terez Paylor

Chiefs announce that Derrick Johnson will be allowed to test free agency in March

— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) February 13, 2018

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Tuesday that linebacker Derrick Johnson will become a free agent when his contract with the club expires at the start of the new league year on March 14. The announcement ends Johnson’s 13-year run with the Chiefs.

“Few players in recent history have meant more to the Chiefs franchise and the Kansas City community than Derrick Johnson,” Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said. “His tireless work ethic and passion for the game made him one of the most productive defensive players to ever wear a Chiefs uniform and one of the most respected players both in our locker room and around the league. Over the last 13 seasons, Derrick represented himself and the Chiefs organization with integrity and class, and he will always be a part of our Chiefs family.”

Johnson is the franchise’s all-time leading tackler, compiling 1,262 career stops (993 solo) in his 13 seasons with the Chiefs (2005-17). He earned four Pro Bowl berths in his time with the club.

“I’ve been blessed to be a part of the Kansas City Chiefs organization my entire career,” Johnson said. “I’d like to thank the Hunt family, my coaches, teammates and the staff for the tremendous amount of support I received over the years. I love Kansas City and this fan base, they’ve always had my back. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to spend 13 years in a place I love. I plan on playing for several more years because I love this game so much, but I look forward to retiring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs when my career is over. I’ll miss my Chiefs teammates – we made a lot of big plays together over the years – and I wish them the best in bringing a championship home to the best and loudest fans in the NFL.”

General Manager Brett Veach and Head Coach Andy Reid weighed in on Johnson’s tenure in Kansas City.

“Letting go of a player like Derrick is particularly tough because of how much respect I have for him as a player and as a person,” Veach said. “He’s had a tremendous career here in Kansas City, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

“I’m grateful I had the opportunity to coach a player like Derrick,” Reid said. “He’s a passionate football player and a natural leader. I value the amount of quality work he put in every day for us, including teaching our younger players what it means to be a pro. I think he will make an incredible coach when he is done playing the game, if he chooses.”

Johnson played in 182 games (169 starts) with the club tallying 27.5 sacks, 40 quarterback pressures, 14 interceptions – returning four of those INTs for touchdowns – 23 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries. Johnson had a career-high 179 tackles in 2011 that led to his first of four Pro Bowl appearances. In addition to his four Pro Bowl berths, Johnson was named the club’s Mack Lee Hill Award winner following his rookie season, an award given to the team’s top rookie or first year player. Additionally, after his career year in 2011, Johnson was awarded with the Derrick Thomas Award, given to the team’s MVP. The former Texas Longhorn originally entered the NFL as the Chiefs first-round pick (15th overall) in 2005.

http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-2...b-487e57ffa691

[Stinger]

Chiefs have to make this move unfortunately.

However.... I am probably in the minority here. And as much as I love DJ as Chief.... I say keep playing as long as you can/want to (knowing and understanding the risks that go along with that) if someone is willing to bring you on. If you truly love playing once it is over and you leave there is no going back. Be happy and play the game you love as long as you can or allowed to it. I would not want to regret leaving something I loved knowing I still could be allowed to do it.

[ChiefGator]

So, with Alex and DJ gone.. how does our cap space look as of mid-March now?

[O.city]

Lotta talk about him being a big loss on Twitter


Am I the only one that thought he wasnt very good last year?

[BlackOp]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks

I think I'll remember DJ most for the 50,000 interceptions he dropped.

I have to say...I thought the same thing when reading his career 14 INTs stat. He probably should have 30+....

Great player...good luck.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by ChiefGator

So, with Alex and DJ gone.. how does our cap space look as of mid-March now?

Since the Smith trade can't go through right now.....our current cap space is at $12,594 after the DJ cut.

[KranzDictum]

Originally Posted by tyton75

I'm still hopeful we can get him back at a lower cap number. He still has value.

They want to go younger at ILB he won't be back. Hali is done too, would have cut him last year but he had guaranteed money or something due where they essentially had to keep him.

You guys need at least one ILB in the draft, probably will bring in a vet depth guy too.

[ThaVirus]

Why do people always mention athletes hanging it up “while they can still walk”?

If Lawrence Taylor can play into his 30s in his era with the amount of coke he did and still be functional in his 50s, why can’t DJ?

[Stinger]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks

I think I'll remember DJ most for the 50,000 interceptions he dropped.

Not me I think this memory will though

[Mother****erJones]

Inevitable but still painful. Loved watching him fly around and smack people. The most underrated ILB of my generation and maybe lifetime.

[JohnnyHammersticks]

Originally Posted by BlackOp

I have to say...I thought the same thing when reading his career 14 INTs stat. He probably should have 30+....

Great player...good luck.

At least 30+! And how many of those were ones that hit him right in the hands when he was wide open and could've walked the ball in for a pick 6?

But yes, great player (after his first couple years).

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

Inevitable but still painful. Loved watching him fly around and smack people. The most underrated ILB of my generation and maybe lifetime.

London Fletcher was pretty underrated as well.

[RunKC]

His cap number was $10.25 million and now its $2.25 million. How much are we going to save moving on?

[The Franchise]

“When I restructured my deal, I voided my last year out,” Johnson said. “In order for me to come back with the Chiefs, we’d have to work on a deal or do something for a one-year type of deal.

“But the Chiefs, they wanted to go younger across the board — that’s what (general manager Brett) Veach was talking about. I wasn’t in their plans, and I understood that. They’ve got some cap issues, and even though I would have bended some to be a Chief, there really was no negotiation. I just wasn’t in the plans. And that happens; it is what it is.”

Shouldn't be the last old player cut.

[arrwheader]

Figured they would announce Hali before this. Hali is a much easier decision. Glad we are making changes sounds like the Mellinger article was right. Loved DJ, thanks for the memories and good luck!

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Why do people always mention athletes hanging it up “while they can still walk”?

If Lawrence Taylor can play into his 30s in his era with the amount of coke he did and still be functional in his 50s, why can’t DJ?

How many major surgeries did LT have? I honestly dont know, but I'm willing to bet less than DJ

We've all seen these older, retired players hobbling around, complaining about their knees and the chronic pain they endure etc... I say it because I wish guys like DJ and Tamba well

They're shells of their former selves, have nothing left to prove, and have enough money to spend the rest of their lives spending... why tarnish ones legacy by hanging on too long, and going out there looking like shit?