Cards GM Steve Keim said the one-year contract under which running back Chris Johnson is now playing is “something we will look at” in terms of a potential extension. That sounds about right — as good as Johnson has been, Keim and the Cardinals are very careful with older veterans who they have signed to one-year deals, and regardless of how well they play, the Cards will be smart with further contract offers (see Dansby, Karlos and Cromartie, Antonio.) They will have a number they are comfortable with, and if it isn’t good enough for Johnson, the Cardinals will be ready to move on. That’s the model.
Still, Johnson is tied for the second-most rushing yards in the league with 405 yards (the Bears’ Matt Forte has 438) and after not having an offseason and getting hurt (hamstring) almost as soon as he showed up to training camp, Keim noted Johnson is still on the upswing.
“Chris Johnson is just now starting to hit his stride,” Keim said during his appearance on the “Doug and Wolf” show on Arizona Sports 98.7.
With Andre Ellington active, CJ still got most of the early work and even rookie David Johnson had two in-close TD runs. Ellington's time didn't come until later in the game for the most part. The Cardinals are in a good situation here and even if they want to maintain Chris Johnson beyond this season, because it should be under their terms. David Johnson sure looks like the longer-term answer at RB and could form a nice combo with Ellington if he could just stay healthy.
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