ARIZONA CARDINALS

Free agent Chris Johnson will first look for fit outside Cardinals

Feb 28, 2017, 7:33 PM | Updated: 7:40 pm

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Bu...

Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Cardinals running back Chris Johnson wants to play. To find that opportunity, he might begin his free agency by looking outside Arizona.

The veteran joined Alex Marvez’s Sirius XM NFL Radio show on Tuesday and said that both he and the Cardinals are interested the running back returning for his third year with the team.

Yet, Johnson added that he’ll start his free agency process by looking at other options.

“I think I want to go out there and see what options I have first,” Johnson said on SiriusXM NFL Radio as transcribed on Sporting News. “I feel at this point in my career if it’s not a situation where a team wants to bring me in to be a starter, I definitely need to be somewhere where I have a role.

“I need to be involved. At this point in my career, I don’t want to sit on the sideline. I want to get in the game.”

Johnson, 32, likely sees his opportunity as a limited one with the Cardinals.

Arizona, after all, will continue leaning upon lead running back David Johnson, who piled up 1,239 rushing yards and 879 receiving yards in 2016. At the same time, the Cardinals might lose backup running backs Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington to free agency.

Kerwynn Williams ended up finishing the year as Arizona’s second-leading rusher behind David Johnson with 157 yards. He is still under contract.

From its perspective, Arizona might be apprehensive to re-sign the elder Johnson, whose past two seasons have ended with injuries. He took 25 carries for 95 yards last season before he underwent sports-hernia surgery.

Presented By
Western Governors University

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Cardinals

Desmond Ridder runs the rock against Houston...

Tyler Drake

Desmond Ridder eager to remind fellow Cardinals QB Clayton Tune about college wins

Cardinals quarterback Desmond Ridder may not know Kyler Murray just yet, but he and Clayton Tune go way back.

21 hours ago

LSU's Malik Nabers, a top NFL Draft prospect...

Kevin Zimmerman

NFL Draft: Malik Nabers to visit Arizona Cardinals after LSU pro day, per report

Top NFL Draft receiver prospect Malik Nabers will reportedly visit with the Arizona Cardinals after the LSU Tigers' pro day.

24 hours ago

Desmond Ridder looks to pass...

Tyler Drake

QB1 or not, Desmond Ridder keeping starter mentality with Cardinals

New Cardinals QB Desmond Ridder is focused on using the good and the bad from his first two seasons rather than listening to outside chatter.

2 days ago

Jonathan Gannon and Kyler Murray look on...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals’ Jonathan Gannon: Kyler Murray’s ‘best football is ahead of him’

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon believes Kyler Murray will continue taking the necessary steps forward with a full offseason of work.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray chats with Jonathan Gannon...

Arizona Sports

Arizona Cardinals will face ‘really good’ AFC opponent for joint preseason practices

The Arizona Cardinals expect to hold joint practices in the preseason against a really good AFC opponent, in the words of Jonathan Gannon.

2 days ago

Patriots and Cardinals kick off return in 2020...

Associated Press

NFL owners approve new kickoff rules for 2024

NFL kickoff rules will take on a hybrid approach similar to the XFL. League owners approved the new measures Tuesday.

2 days ago

Free agent Chris Johnson will first look for fit outside Cardinals