The New England Patriots are interested in adding a veteran wide receiver, though it's not the guy we all thought it would be. The Pats were expected to jump at the chance to sign Andre Johnson after he was released by the Houston Texans. Instead, Bill Belichick remained patient (Johnson signed with the Indianapolis Colts) and now it appears as if the team is targeting former San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson, according to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4.
New England has already gone out and signed free agent WR Brandon Gibson and restructured Danny Amendola's contract. But adding Johnson wouldn't hurt either. The veteran pass-catcher is reportedly visiting with New England today and Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com suggests the Pats not let him get away without a contract.
"He is only 28-years-old, 6'2" a little under 200 pounds, absolutely electric in getting off the line of scrimmage and makes people miss," Curran said. "What happened last year at San Francisco you wonder? That's a horrible passing game. I talked to our colleague Matt Maiocco with CSN Bay Area, and he said the only guy that could be satisfied out there was Anquan Boldin."
Johnson isn't far removed from the three consecutive 70-plus receptions, 1,000-plus-yard-receiving seasons he had in Buffalo from 2010-2012. After squeezing out a career year from Brand LaFell last season, who's to say that Tom Brady and Co. couldn't do the same for Johnson, who comes in with a much better pedigree? With Julian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski and LaFell returning, Johnson could be the final piece in the passing game's puzzle.
Johnson earned a base salary of $3.65 million in 2014. With the departures of cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, among others, New England currently has roughly $13 million in salary cap space, according to Spotrac.com. Patriots brass could easily fit in a new contract for Johnson should the team decide that he would be a good addition.