Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) scores a touchdown against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Dwayne Gratz (27) during the game at NRG Stadium. REUTERS/Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

One of the reliable veteran wide receivers in the league, Andre Johnson has reportedly requested a trade or release from the Houston Texans in the National Football League, or NFL. But Johnson’s agent, Kennard McGuire said in an interview that it was the Houston franchise which first suggested that he might be left of the team with a trade.

“Andre did not, in the last couple of days, go in and ask for a trade. 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,” McGuire said to the Houston Chronicle. “That was not something that we asked for. That was something that was presented to us. The contractual matters never did come up. The only thing that was discussed was the role and that was in fact that there would be a reduced role.”

Initial report from Pro Football Talk stated that it was Johnson who first broached the idea of the trade but the player agent has since denied it. The Texans wanted Johnson to be playing on a lesser role and a reduced, restructured contract but Johnson and his agent did not want either.

Johnson had two years left in the contract with the Texans, which now saves over $8 million if they can find a trade or cut Johnson later in the 2015 offseason. The 33 year old Johnson, stated in interviews that he believes he is still a starter in the league and that it didn’t make sense for him to stay in Houston on a non-starter role.Johnson also said that he wants to play for two more years in the NFL.

Johnson was the third overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and will enter his 13th season in the league. He has played all of his 12 years in the league with the Texans and has been one of its key wide receivers. In 12 seasons in Houston, he has recorded 1,000-plus receiving yards seven times and 1,400-plus receiving yards four times in his career.

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