The Texans did Andre Johnson a favor. It remains to be seen whether they did themselves one.

There has been considerable criticism of the Texans since it was reported Monday night they gave Johnson freedom to seek a better situation for himself. The criticism has less to with what they decided about his future with the team than how they told him.

But what should they have told him other than the truth?

Once the Texans decided Johnson would play a reduced role, that he might not even start and that he shouldn't expect even half as many as his 85 receptions of last season, coach Bill O'Brien did the honorable thing by telling him.

The Texans owed him that much.

I'm sure Johnson would rather the Texans had decided they owed him the $10.5 million he was due to make next season, that he would remain the featured receiver, that he could expect to return to the 100-plus catches he had become accustomed to during most of his 12 seasons with the team.

When confronted with the cold, hard truth, Johnson said he laughed.

He might have the next laugh, too.

Related: The Andre Johnson no one knows

The Texans knew he wouldn't be satisfied unless he was still expected to be Andre instead of Damaris Johnson. They didn't even have to talk about the money, the possibility of a pay cut. So they gave him permission to seek a trade. If unsuccessful, they will release him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Johnson, who held out of all offseason workouts until training camp last year because he didn't believe the team was making strides toward Super Bowl contention, will now be free, one way or the other, to talk to teams that are.

That could include both of this year's Super Bowl teams, Seattle and New England.

If the Seahawks had Johnson last season, do you think they would have thrown that lame pass over the middle that cost them the game against the Patriots?

It also could include Green Bay. Or Baltimore. Or, in a doomsday scenario for the Texans, Indianapolis.

It could be Johnson won't finish his NFL career wondering what it would have been like if the best quarterback he caught a pass from was Matt Schaub. It could be he will find out what it's like to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck or Tom Brady or Joe Flacco or Russell Wilson.

To Peyton's place?

Or Peyton Manning. Johnson could go to Denver, reuniting with Gary Kubiak. It's no secret Johnson was disappointed when the Texans decided not to pursue Manning as a free agent. Johnson wanted to play with Manning. Now could be his chance.

Wouldn't it be one of the great sports moments ever if Johnson's next game at NRG Stadium is in the 2017 Super Bowl?

I bet he'd be willing to give up much of that $10.5 million for that chance.

I'd also bet right now there's a better chance of him playing at NRG in February 2017 than the Texans.

But perhaps I'm underestimating the Texans.

The Texans have been provocatively quiet about Johnson since the news of his imminent departure broke, taking the heat for hurting the feelings of their second-most-popular player while allowing him and his agent to control the message.

O'Brien certainly isn't sharing his plan for next season. But you know he has one.

It appears now as if the Texans have a hole at wide receiver, with only DeAndre Hopkins considered a threat. There has been speculation they will fill it by pursuing the most sought-after free agents, such as Green Bay's Randall Cobb, Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin or Baltimore's Torrey Smith.

More pieces to puzzle

They, however, will command high salaries. They might be worth it if the Texans were one wide receiver short of championship contention. That's far from the case.

One advantage of dropping Johnson from the payroll is that it gives the Texans financial flexibility to address their many other needs in the free-agent market.

They must retain cornerback Kareem Jackson. They must retain Ryan Mallett if they are correct he is the right quarterback. They must seek another edge pass rusher if they lose free agent Brooks Reed and Jadeveon Clowney isn't healthy. They must upgrade the offensive line, including tight end. They also need a reliable understudy for linebacker Brian Cushing, who underwent three offseason surgeries.

As for wide receiver, the Texans are fortunate so many are available in free agency and the draft. They should get more production from the position than the 40 catches O'Brien said he expected from Johnson.

Johnson will do better than that if he goes to the right team and is happier. The Texans will be happy for him and maybe improve their team. This could be a win-win.