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Thanks to FOX 26’s Mark Berman’s Twitter stream, we now have a bit more information about why Andre Johnson has requested to be cut or traded out of Houston. In short, it comes down to playing time.
Texans gave Andre Johnson's agent, Kennard McGuire,permission to seek a trade after Andre declined to accept reduced role in offense in 2015
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
Andre Johnson: "I think the role that they had for me, it wasn't a role for me. I felt like why sit there & be miserable when I can go(more)
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
Andre Johnson: "..somewhere else & be able to show my talents.
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
Andre Johnson: "If we were living in a perfect world you know I would want to finish my career here, but that's not what's going to happen"
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
Andre Johnson:"I don't get how you can tell a guy that you wouldn't start certain games. It just didn't make sense to me. (more)
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
More Andre Johnson: "...I'm pretty sure it won't make sense to a lot of other people."
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
Andre Johnson to Texans fans: "I'd just tell them thank you. Thank you for all of your support. I love playing for them, (more)
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
More Andre Johnson to Texans fans: "...playing in front of them in that stadium every Sunday. I'm going to miss them." (more)
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
More Andre Johnson to Texans fans: "Hopefully I'll one day get a chance to play back in front of them again."
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) March 3, 2015
I suppose nobody can really fault Johnson for wanting an opportunity to play more of the game he loves. 'Dre is a future Hall of Famer after all, and he has been an immediate impact starter since the moment he first entered the league. Going from such a lofty status to the bench after over a decade of service is likely just too much of a shock to the system to deal with. Johnson is a competitor – he always has been – and competitors will do anything they can to stay on the field.
We still love you, Andre. Go do your thing.