Andre Johnson has probably already circled Week 16 on his schedule for the upcoming NFL season.
Why? That’s when the Indianapolis Colts travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins. Johnson was born in Miami and played his college ball at The U. He openly admits that he has always wanted to play professionally for his hometown team, but the Dolphins had no interest this past offseason.
“I always had a dream of playing at home,” Johnson told Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald on Tuesday. “I was a huge Dolphins fan. But they never called.”
As Jackson notes, the Dolphins likely knew they could not afford Johnson. They signed Greg Jennings instead, who will count $2.5 million against the salary cap in 2015. Johnson’s cap hit with the Colts this season will be $7.5 million. Unless Johnson was willing to take a serious hometown discount with the Dolphins, they probably figured he was out of their price range.
Johnson insists he is not angry the Dolphins didn’t call.
“I understand the business side,” he said. “I have a good situation (in Indianapolis).”
Still, no one should be surprised if Johnson has a little extra motivation when the Colts play the Dolphins. The 33-year-old has already made it clear that he is downright giddy about his new quarterback situation. If Johnson can stay healthy, he could be in for a huge season.
H/T Around the League
Photo: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
