The Tennessee Titans had a rocky season in 2009, but the same cannot be said for their budding young star in the backfield. Chris Johnson tore the league up last season becoming only the sixth player in history to eclipse the 2,000 yard barrier and being arguably the most exciting player to watch throughout the year league-wide. All of these statistical achievements and NFL dominating numbers come from a player not considered yet to be in the prime of his career as the 2009 season was only Johnson’s second in the league.

Drafted 24th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, Johnson was a relative unknown out of East Carolina and all that most scouts knew about him was simply explosive. Aside from LaDainian Tomlinson’s 100 catch season out of the backfield, Johnson’s all-purpose year was one of the most impressive in recent memory. He is still playing under the terms of his rookie deal which still has three years remaining on it and was a five-year deal for $12 million with $7 million guaranteed. The most amazing part of the contract is the fact that the Titans workhorse is only scheduled to earn $550,000 for the 2010 season under the terms as they are currently laid out.

As one of the biggest draws in the league and certainly one of its most productive players, Johnson has been absent from the team’s voluntary workouts and is seeking a new deal to make him the league’s highest paid offensive player. The biggest detriment to a deal getting done in the near term is this final operating year of the collective bargaining agreement which limits players to a 30 percent pay increase in base salary. That would be miniscule for Johnson considering what he currently makes in comparison to other NFL superstars, but the only viable alternative for the Titans would be paying big money up front.

In this league that is continually trending younger, Johnson realizes that he only has a certain amount of allotted time to make his money and smartly he is trying to do just that while he is a hot commodity. Titans Head Coach Jeff Fisher has no mandatory mini camps so Johnson is not in violation of team rules and continues to workout on his own accord. He isn’t the only Titan missing from the current festivities either with both tight end Bo Scaife and linebacker Stephen Tulloch also unhappy with their restricted free agent tenders. He may not be alone in staying away from organized team activities, but he is certainly the most high profile player not in attendance.

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