The Indianapolis Colts are in the market for an upgrade at the wide receiver position and "mutual interest" reportedly exists between the team and soon-to-be ex-Houston Texans pass-catcher Andre Johnson.
"One of the teams that you can look for that would be interested in Johnson and that Johnson would be interested in playing for is the Indianapolis Colts," reports Jason Cole of Bleacher Report. "No. 1, it's Andrew Luck and he's one of the best young quarterbacks in the league. No. 2, it would be within the same division and allow him to get a little bit of revenge over the Houston Texans."
It was reported Monday night by John McClain of the Houston Chronicle that the Houston Texans had told Johnson that he was in line for a "reduced role" next season, to which Johnson apparently replied that he'd like to be traded or cut.
"It's business," Johnson said, per McClain. "I understand that side of it. I'm not angry about it. I knew at some point in time this day would come."
Cole reports that Johnson - who took to Twitter to thank the fans in Houston, presumably signaling the finality of his exit - prefers to be cut so that he can peruse the NFL free agency market of his own volition.
"What Johnson is hoping for according to sources I've talked to is that he get cut in this process. He doesn't want to be traded, he wants to be out there on the market and negotiate the best deal he can possibly get."
According to Cole, there are at least three teams who would pay the full $10 million base salary Johnson is slated to make next season should he be traded though.
One of those teams is the Colts.
Johnson was among a handful of veteran receivers the Colts and head coach Chuck Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson were reportedly already eyeing in trade or free agency.
With the team expected to part ways with veteran Reggie Wayne and unable to depend on the oft-injured Hakeem Nicks, Johnson could slide right into a major role on the Colts offense opposite T.Y. Hilton while simultaneously aiding the development of Donte Moncrief.
