Getty Images

Andre Johnson is leaving the only NFL organization he's ever known. The Houston Texans cut the veteran wide receiver Monday.

The team confirmed the move on its official website, and general manager Rick Smith provided the following statement:



After exhausting all options of a possible trade, we informed Andre Johnson that he would be released today. No player in the history of this franchise has represented the team, city and community in a more professional way. Andre is a Hall of Fame caliber player and we appreciate his years of service and contributions to our team.

Head coach Bill O'Brien added his thoughts on the decision and Johnson's time in Houston:



I have so much respect for Andre Johnson and what he’s meant to this organization. Andre carried himself as a true professional and did everything that we asked him to do. Andre will go down as one of the best receivers to every play this game. We are thankful for what he has done for our organization and wish him well on his future playing career.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first passed along word of the Texans' move., which will save $8,825,000 in cap space, per OverTheCap.com.



The Texans also shared a video of Johnson's time with the team, thanking him for all he's done.



Last offseason, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported on a "divide" between Johnson and the Texans. Rapoport claimed several teams were showing interest in the wideout as the situation escalated and that he was preparing during the offseason with an eye on playing elsewhere.

They were able to work things out, so he stayed with the team for 2014, but he never seemed totally comfortable en route to one of the worst seasons of his career.

Houston drafted Johnson with the No. 3 overall selection in 2003. He quickly developed into one of the best receivers in football, earning seven Pro Bowl trips, four All-Pro selections (two first, two second) and a pair of receiving yardage titles.

The Miami (Florida) product continued to post monster numbers even as the Texans' quarterback play began to decline significantly in recent years. He racked up at least 1,400 yards to go along with at least 100 catches in both 2012 and 2013.

It showed that, even at age 33, he can be an incredibly valuable asset. Alas, this past season saw him make 85 grabs for 936 yards and just three touchdowns. Good numbers, but not on his usual production level.



Questions about Johnson's future began to heat up last May. That's when the Texans legend stated he wasn't sure whether he wanted to spend his remaining peak seasons with Houston, per ESPN.com's Tania Ganguli.

"When you've been somewhere for a long time, nobody's been here as long as I have," he said at the time. "I've been thinking about things this offseason. Kind of wonder if this is still the place for me."

While saying he had no plans to take part in any organized team activities, he talked about some of the other factors under consideration concerning his future in Houston, per Ganguli.

"Now I'm on my third head coach, that's something I give thought to," he said. "I just look over my career, is it a place? I've only been to the playoffs twice. I think we've only had three winning seasons, two 8-8 seasons. I don't think any player wants to experience that."

After another season in Houston, it became clear the sides were heading toward an end to their relationship in early March.

On March 2, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reported Johnson requested the Texans either trade or release him. The wideout explained the situation after the team allowed his agent to search for a trade partner.

It's business. I understand that side of it. I'm not angry about it. I knew at some point in time this day would come. If we were living in a perfect world, you know I'd want to finish my career here, but, unfortunately, that's not what's going to happen. You just have to move forward."

He also posted a video on Instagram:

Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

At that point, it was clearly time for the sides to go their separate ways.

Now, the pressure is on Johnson. It's not uncommon for players in the latter part of their careers to join what they feel is a more competitive team in search of a championship. In his case, there's now immense pressure to perform.

As for Houston, it will move forward with a receiving corps headlined by DeAndre Hopkins and an uncertain quarterback situation. The offense will have a different look and feel without the longtime Texan. How it will perform without him remains to be seen.









