Titans Running Back Chris Johnson Willing to Hold Out For New Contract

Chris Johnson has been one of the NFL’s premier rushers for the last three years, and now he says he is prepared to hold out from training camp until he gets the salary he deserves.

The Titans running back, who is still under his rookie contract and will make just $800,000 this season, is threatening not to join the team until the Titans offer him a deal surpassing the $5 million per year contract Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles signed last season, according to NFL.com.

Johnson’s contract was increased last season — from $500,000 to $2 million for the season — but the 25-year-old is reportedly not interested in another so-called “band-aid” deal.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Johnson has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons, and in 2009, became the sixth NFL player ever to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

The two parties are unable to negotiate a new contract until the lockout is lifted, however, which may leave Johnson with little time to reach an agreement before what may be a shortened training camp.