I haven't had any inside information on Derrick Johnson but when folks ask me about his impending free agency I just say can you imagine him playing for anyone but with the Kansas City Chiefs?
Apparently DJ can't imagine it either. Speaking to a Texas radio station on Thursday, DJ made it clear as day that he wants to stay in Kansas City next season.
"Talking with the Chiefs and hopefully that progresses and we'll see where it goes from there," DJ said when asked about his future. "You have to go through the business aspect. I want to be a Kansas City Chief, no doubt. I don't want to go to another team. That's all I know. I'm kind of biased right now spending 11 years there so God willing I'll still be there."
He's been in Kansas City for 11 years, he set the Chiefs all-time tackle record last year and he's still playing at an elite level. The question is what the Chiefs would pay him while still managing their other free agents like Eric Berry, Sean Smith and Jaye Howard. We've seen some numbers floated out there but however it shakes out it seems like a good bet, based on what DJ is saying here, that he will be back in Kansas City next season.
If DJ weren't playing at a high level it would be easier to make the call to walk away from a 33-year old linebacker. But he IS playing at a high level as evidenced by his Pro Bowl season. He said in the interview that the year off with his Achilles injury did help in a way because it gave the rest of his body a year off. The Chiefs should take advantage of the fountain of youth that DJ has found.