Likelihood David Johnson Plays Again This Year

Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones Ii may not exist destined to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.

Jones almost convincingly, and Fournette is very likely to leave given the attention he'll draw in the free-agent puddle.

As some other veteran option, David Johnson is a large dorsum with some tread left on the tires who may exist open to a reunion with his former Arizona Cardinals caput double-decker, Bruce Arians.

Both men are a little older, one with more than jewelry and accolades than the other, and both looking to achieve what they set up out to practice when they commencement met.

DAVID JOHNSON'Due south CAREER THUS FAR

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Admittedly, head motorbus Bruce Arians and the Arizona Cardinals had their eyes set on Nebraska star running back Ameer Abdullah. But the Detroit Lions ruined those plans.

It turned out to be for the best, yet, because in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Cardinals took David Johnson out of Northern Iowa.

Afterwards starting five games in his rookie season, Johnson took the NFL by storm in 2022 with 2,118 total yards of offense and twenty touchdowns.

The campaign resulted in Johnson'due south first Pro Bowl and Start-Team All-Pro selections.

Unfortunately, each was also his final.

Johnson's 2022 flavour concluded after an opening week wrist injury. His production dipped in 2018. And by the stop of the 2022 NFL Season, he found himself out of the top spot on the depth chart and was in Houston in 2020.

With the Texans, Johnson hasn't exactly regained his earlier form just institute a way to full nearly 1,000-yards rushing in two seasons and ix touchdowns.

Now, inbound his 8th season, Johnson looks poised to join the tertiary NFL franchise of his career.

Why It Works

Upfront, Johnson's best days in the NFL came playing for motorcoach Arians. So the obvious connection is too a strong one.

Nobody is suggesting he can carry the load by himself, so we're dealing with a commission system here. Not dissimilar to what the Buccaneers had been employing upwardly until Fournette asserted himself as the clear choice to establish consequent operation from the running dorsum grouping.

For Johnson, every flavor presents an opportunity, and when a role player in his position has one with real postseason potential, information technology'due south difficult to plough a olfactory organ up to.

But...

The Buccaneers are absent a legitimate No. 1 back for 2022 at the moment, and no affair who the quarterback turns out to exist, information technology'd be wise to endeavor and find one if the cost is right.

'Never Say Never' is a term that comes to listen, but if we're being realistic, Johnson isn't likely to be a reliable primary back regardless of the competition in the room.

WHAT'S THE Cost

Spotrac's valuation of Johnson this offseason comes in at $1.4 million, likely on a ane-year deal.

A lack of draft capital required to acquire the dorsum is a plus, but so is the relatively cheap price tag as he'll serve in a playing office as offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich can work him in, and in the concurrently prove to be a valuable mentor for immature backs like Ke'Shawn Vaughn and the likely rookie improver we see bring together the team in April.

What We Don't Know

Perhaps Johnson is yet clinging to dreams of regaining his dominant form.

Hard to blame him. Once a player reaches the top of his position grouping, it's reasonable to try and strive to get in that location again.

If the Bucs pitch him a committee arrangement while another squad offers him a fair crevice at being a atomic number 82 back once again, the competitive spirit may just win out.

Likewise, if Leonard Fournette decides to return, the team doesn't take much need for a slower and injury-prone backup, and would likely turn their attention towards the draft altogether, or at least to a younger complimentary back in free agency.

Brand the Decision

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

It's fair to think anyone would prefer Fournette's return over replacing him with Johnson or any other back.

But it simply isn't upward to u.s., or even the Tampa Bay Buccaneers alone.

Fournette has a say, and while he'southward not the only option, Johnson is certainly i that could make sense as the Bucs try to get back to the superlative of the National Football League.

So what do you think, Bucs Nation?

Poll

When it comes to David Johnson, what would you have the Buccaneers do?

This poll is airtight

• 3%

  Sign him no matter what

  (4 votes)

• 24%

  Make an offer, but keep it reasonable

  (27 votes)

• 20%

  Invite him for a cup of coffee and see where information technology goes

  (23 votes)

• 26%

  Telephone call him up if they take a need later the NFL Draft

  (29 votes)

• 24%

  Don't need him

  (27 votes)

110 votes total Vote Now

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Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2022/2/26/22951750/buccaneers-nfl-free-agent-spotlight-david-johnson-texans-cardinals

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