Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson isn't a player that's expected to be traded. As ESPN's John Clayton said this week, the return on DJ wouldn't be more than what he's worth to the Chiefs. Let's face it, the Chiefs aren't in the market of dumping inside linebackers.
DJ spoke with Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman last week at the NFL celebrity basketball game and said he wants to play he wants to start -- whether that's with the Chiefs or not.
"I want to be the best football player I can be in 2010, if I'm with the Chiefs or not,'' Johnson said. "I love being a Chief, but last year my playing time wavered a little bit. I like playing and being part of the defense more than I like being a Chief. I like starting."
I don't think you can look at these out-of-context comments and think DJ's requesting or demanding a trade.
Instead, I think this is what Todd Haley and Scott Pioli want. He's not satisfied with riding the bench and wants to start and presumably will try to do what's necessary to start. I think this is exactly what the Chiefs want.
"I like being on the field," DJ said. "It doesn't matter what team as long as on I'm on the field. The Chiefs are a great organization, don't get me wrong. But at the same time, I want to play too."
So which way will this go...do the Chiefs give him the opportunity to start elsewhere? Is this the kind of motivation that will help him next year in a Chiefs uniform?
(H/T WtexKC for the first FanShot)