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Houston Texans franchise cornerstone Andre Johnson reportedly may become a salary-cap casualty prior to the 2015 NFL season. On March 2, reports surfaced that the Texans have given the wide receiver permission to seek a trade.

Continue for updates.

Texans Won't Cut Johnson Unless No Trade Can Be Made

Friday, March 7

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported the Texans won't cut Johnson until they are sure they cannot trade him.

Johnson Given Permission to Seek Trade

Monday, March 2

Johnson has been given permission to seek a trade, according to McClain:

McClain also reported that if a trade partner could not be found, the team would cut him. His contract would need to be redone since he's set to make $10.5 million in 2015 and $11 million in 2016 with a $1 million workout bonus each year, per McClain.

Johnson posted a message to Texan fans on Instagram thanking them for their support:

Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston provided further comments from Johnson:

I don't know how you tell a guy who catches 85 balls that he'll only probably catch 40. I just didn't feel like it was a role for me to fit in. So I felt like why sit there and be miserable when I can go somewhere else and be able to show my talents. I feel like the role they were trying to put me in I would be held back from maximizing my talents.

On Feb. 25, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Johnson could be on his way out of Houston if he didn't take a reduced salary, via Around The NFL.

Johnson Looking at Texans' Situation During Offseason

Friday, Feb. 27

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that Johnson is looking at where the Texans stand currently, and when they could get competitive again this offseason:

Johnson is once again determining a sense of where the organization is going, how close they are to winning, and where he fits in. Things got a little testy last year, with Johnson wanting a trade, and while it has gone on under the surface this season, the reality is Johnson is not getting any younger and carries a hefty $10.5M base salary and $16M cap number. Just converting his base salary to bonus and pushing the cap burden into the future might not be what's best for Houston, while Johnson is no longer the go-to receiver there. I'm not convinced his future is in Houston, but time will tell.

Pay-Cut Refusal Could Lead to Johnson's Release

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Per Spotrac, Johnson is owed $10.5 million in salary and would be a $16.14 million cap hit in 2015, as he's entering the sixth season of a seven-year, $67.8 million contract.

CBSSports.com's Joel Corry brought up a pertinent point regarding his contract:

Before detractors give Johnson too hard of a time about how he has already made plenty of money, etc., let's remember the quarterbacks the Texans have had in place for him.

The best option Johnson's ever had under center was Matt Schaub, who's been succeeded by the likes of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Case Keenum. Houston hasn't fielded a roster good enough to get to the playoffs more than twice since Johnson was chosen No. 3 overall in the 2003 NFL draft.

Johnson has been a consummate professional and stuck by the Texans through their consistent losing. It'd be hard to blame him for refusing to take a pay cut.

If Houston does opt to release the veteran Pro Bowler, who will turn 34 in July, one can bet that plenty of suitors will pop up eager to land Johnson in free agency.

The chance to play for a contender elsewhere and the lack of incentive to budge on his salary leaves Johnson in a win-win situation.