Tweet
Per Twitter.
@NBCdianna: I'm told in the end, it was a tough decision for Johnson but it was about his family. #Chargers
@NBCdianna: I'm told in the end, it was a tough decision for Johnson but it was about his family. #Chargers
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He's willing to play in a rotting stadium? -
3-yr deal.Comment
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W00T!Comment
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Chargers nab WR Stevie Johnson
Slot weapon chose team over Patriots after Monday visit to New England
By Michael Gehlken7:40 a.m.March 17, 2015
It happened once.
It happened twice.
Good riddance for the Chargers, not a third time.
After the team missed twice on a free-agent wide receiver last week, it agreed to terms with wide receiver Stevie Johnson on a three-year contract, sources said Tuesday. The former 49ers and Bills wide receiver deliberated between two offers, one from the Chargers, the other from the defending-champ Patriots.
Mercy was the verdict.
No more coming close for San Diego. No more near misses.
Last Wednesday, wide receiver Eddie Royal agreed to a three-year, $15 million contract with Chicago that fully guaranteed him $10 million. The Chargers made a strong play not only for him but wide receiver Andre Johnson earlier that day. Johnson took less money to sign with Colts, who are coming off three straight 11-win seasons. Sources close to both players described their Wednesday decision as being extremely close.
Stevie Johnson, 28, became available Thursday.
The 49ers released him in a move that cleared more than $6 million in cap space. The Chargers then moved quickly, scheduling a visit in the hours that followed. He was in the building the next day with plans to honor a pre-arranged visit to New England.
On Monday, he visited the Patriots and mulled it all over.
On Tuesday, it was done.
The San Francisco native spent last year with the 49ers.
His other six NFL seasons came in Buffalo, a stint that saw him produce consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns from 2010 to 2012. While his production has since dipped — he averaged 516 yards the past two years — there is thought the right scheme, role and quarterback could reverse that.
The Chargers feel they can help him.
And vice versa.
Johnson figures to help maintain the production of a receiving corps that saw four players surpass 775 receiving yards last year. Sustaining the production was viewed a concern entering this offseason; Royal's contract was up, and wide receiver Malcom Floyd, 34 in September, and tight end Antonio Gates, 35 in June, are entering a contract year.
Wide receiver Keenan Allen is the fourth receiver.
Johnson's imminent signing resolved a significant problem for the Chargers. It created a much smaller one.
Two Chargers now both wear No. 13.
Before Johnson made it to the NFL as a 6-foot-2 slot receiver whose unorthodox route-running would cause problems for such defensive backs as Darrelle Revis, he wore the number in college at Kentucky. Allen, meanwhile, has worn No. 13 during his two NFL seasons, sporting No. 21 at California.
A source close to Johnson joked, in the days leading up, that the jersey number could be the deal breaker.
It wasn't.
The two men now can sort it out amongst themselves.Comment
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Very nice - wanted him more than Crabtree.Comment
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time ta partyComment
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Nice signing. Stevie Johnson had the makings of a star in Buffalo; not sure what happened there or in SF or why he fell out of favor. He brings attitude (recall him showboating against the vaunted Jets defenses under Ryan and having his way with Revis), great route running, good hands, and he can beat press off the line very well. He is a faster Keenan Allen. Almost the same size.
I think he is an upgrade over Royal as long as his drop off is attributable to the terrible quarterbacking he has had to deal with.
TGLike, how am I a traitor? Your team are traitors.Comment
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Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 43 seconds ago
The #Chargers will pay WR Stevie Johnson $10.5M over three years, source said. He can get to $12M. He’ll be a big part of their offense.Comment
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3.5 mil per is very reasonable. Glad we didn't overpay.Originally posted by Bolt-O View PostComment
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Solid signie. Hope we get the OT from the Rams Joe Barksdale...Comment
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It would set ups good for the draft (with only RB, OLB and DL as our biggest needs)Comment
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