Derrick Johnson has been up there with Glenn Dorsey, Tamba Hali and Brandon Flowers in terms of core players on this Chiefs defense that has gone from bottom-feeder to fifth in the NFL in points allowed.
And it sounds like he'll be rewarded for it. Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports reports:
An AFC West source tells me a nice contract extension is coming for Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson. He's not going anywhere.
When will it be announced? How long is the extension? How much money? We don't know any of that other than "it's in the works", according to Robinson. The important thing though is that it appears DJ will be part of the future.
We do feel that an extension would be well-deserved. After limited playing time in 2009 -- and not complaining about that -- Johnson has turned into one of the cornerstones of the Chiefs defense.
He was a 2005 first round pick who has already gone through his rookie deal and is now on a one-year, $2.6 million contract (restricted free agent tender).
The Chiefs don't comment on contracts.