AP

The Titans are 1-4, with one win coming by a field goal in overtime, and four losses coming by 21, 28, 24 and 23 points. So it’s not exactly breaking news that they’re not a good team.

But it is news when their highest-paid player, running back Chris Johnson, says publicly that not only does he know the team isn’t good, but he sees no reason to think the team is close to turning things around.

“I don’t believe we’re close right now. You look at the games and how we’re playing, we don’t look like a good team. I wouldn’t sit here and say we’re close,” Johnson said.

Johnson says the Titans need someone to step up and change things.

“We need somebody in this locker room to make plays and give us a spark,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve made some plays, but the situation of a spark has got to come from somewhere and getting a spark that can be big for this team.”

The reason the Titans gave into Johnson’s contract demands last year was that they thought he’d be that guy to provide a spark. But Johnson has been held under 25 yards in four of the Titans’ five games, is averaging just 2.9 yards a carry, hasn’t scored a touchdown all season and lost a fumble in Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. Johnson is not a good running back. Not even close.