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Tuesday is the deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs in order to earn an accrued season toward free agency. That apparently isn't enough to motivate Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson to end his holdout.
Johnson did not report Tuesday, continuing his training camp absence, which has reached 12 days.
Johnson, who has two years left on his contract, appears determined to secure a lucrative long-term deal, rather than an accrued season toward free agency.
By contrast, Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, who has one year left on his contract, reported to training camp Monday and is eligible to become a free agent after this season.
Johnson said in 2010 he wanted a new deal with $30 million guaranteed. The Titans revised his contract by boosting his 2010 salary by $1.5 million to $2.05 million to convince the running back to report.
Johnson is heading into his fourth season and due to make just $800,000 in base salary. The final two years of his deal can max out at roughly $2.7 million.
The Titans have said they are willing to talk with Johnson about his contract, but want him to report before those discussions can take place.
Johnson can be fined $30,000 for each day of camp missed, but he wants to be rewarded for his production from his first three seasons. He became only the sixth man in NFL history to run for at least 2,000 yards, when he ran for 2,006 yards in 2009, and the first to rack up 2,500 yards with 500 yards receiving.
He followed that by running for 1,364 yards in 2010, despite finishing the season with a bruised thigh. He has started 46 of the 47 games he has played since being drafted 24th overall in 2008 out of East Carolina.
Johnson has 4,598 career yards, averaging 5 yards per carry, and also has 1,008 yards receiving.
Source: AP
Johnson did not report Tuesday, continuing his training camp absence, which has reached 12 days.
Johnson, who has two years left on his contract, appears determined to secure a lucrative long-term deal, rather than an accrued season toward free agency.
By contrast, Philadelphia Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, who has one year left on his contract, reported to training camp Monday and is eligible to become a free agent after this season.
Johnson said in 2010 he wanted a new deal with $30 million guaranteed. The Titans revised his contract by boosting his 2010 salary by $1.5 million to $2.05 million to convince the running back to report.
Johnson is heading into his fourth season and due to make just $800,000 in base salary. The final two years of his deal can max out at roughly $2.7 million.
The Titans have said they are willing to talk with Johnson about his contract, but want him to report before those discussions can take place.
Johnson can be fined $30,000 for each day of camp missed, but he wants to be rewarded for his production from his first three seasons. He became only the sixth man in NFL history to run for at least 2,000 yards, when he ran for 2,006 yards in 2009, and the first to rack up 2,500 yards with 500 yards receiving.
He followed that by running for 1,364 yards in 2010, despite finishing the season with a bruised thigh. He has started 46 of the 47 games he has played since being drafted 24th overall in 2008 out of East Carolina.
Johnson has 4,598 career yards, averaging 5 yards per carry, and also has 1,008 yards receiving.
Source: AP