Andre Johnson's Agent: Texans Told Andre "He Would Not Be A Starter"

Last night the news broke that Andre Johnson was given permission to seek a trade with another NFL team.  The end of an era is upon us, and the details of what led to this situation are now unfolding across various media sources.

This morning CBS SportsRadio610 interviewed Andre Johnson's agent, Kennard McGuire.  Here is the published article and transcript of the interview:

"Andre did not, in the last couple of days, go in and ask for a trade," McGuire said. "Certain things were expressed to [Andre] in which he didn’t agree with.  And at that point in time permission was thusly granted to seek an opportunity elsewhere.  That was not something that we asked for.  That was something that was presented to us."

"The contractual matters never did come up," McGuire told Wright and Lopez about conversations Johnson had with Texans Head Coach Bill O’Brien. "The only thing that was discussed was the role and that was in fact that there would be a reduced role."

Before the 2014 season Johnson held out for a little while, but returned to the team during training camp.  Part of the reason for the holdout, according to McGuire, was to get reassurances that Johnson would be back in 2015.

"What we were looking to do last year was have an element of assurance that we wouldn’t be in this position this year," McGuire said. "That was not asking for any more dollars.  Basically what we wanted was the security in knowing that [Johnson] would be playing for the Texans in ’15."

Multiple outlets reported last year that Johnson would be back in 2015, as well as Texans Owner Bob McNair saying he wanted Johnson to be  "a Texan for life."

"There were several conversation that took place and he did get that information that ‘you’re fine, don’t worry about that,'" Johnson’s agent said about last year. "We understand that this is the reality of our business and as Andre and I have always talked, I believe in life that you exit the same way you entered. So, if you entered in a classy way you’re going to exit in the same way as well."

Johnson has stated that he was told he would not be a starter and McGuire believes that the reduction in role was a way for the Texans to, in a round about way, ask for a pay-cut.

Johnson can either find a trade now or wait to be cut and then sign with any team.  McGuire believes there is a market for the wide receiver.

"[The Texans] just granted permission.  We’re on the ground running now," McGuire said. "I believe there will be a market for him."

The business side of the NFL can be ugly.  We know great players often end their careers on a different NFL team than where they built their legend; guys like: Jerry Rice,  Joe Montana, Tony Gonzales, and Marcus Allen, to name a few, all ended their careers in different places from where they started and made their reputations.  That doesn't take the sting out of watching it unfold for Andre Johnson here in Houston.

Share your thoughts on what Andre's agent said as we continue to follow this story.