Chris Johnson Won't Play Under Current Contract

Chris Johnson's contract issue is becoming worse.

After breaking the single season record for yards from scrimmage, Johnson says he won't play under his current contract.

"I can't play for $550,000,'' Johnson said. "The money that I am playing for, I am getting paid less than the starting 11 (on offense) and I'm one of the lowest paid starting running backs in the league."

He also said he is planning to hold out from training camp if a new deal isn't reached. Former Titans running back Lendale White supports Johnson in this matter.

"I think Chris is willing to take it as far as he needs to take it," White said. "I can't get inside his mind and say how long he'll hold out, but obviously he is serious about this. This is his livelihood. He has to look out for himself. Believe me, he loves the Titans and the city of Nashville, but he is looking for his livelihood and his life. No one can be mad about that.''

The big problem with reconstructing his contract is the 30 percent rule. This means that Johnson's salary in 2010 can't be 30 percent higher than his salary in 2009. According to ESPN.com, the highest raise in salary he could get is $405,000. Tennessee would most likely have to offer a hefty guaranteed bonus in order to make Johnson happy and also satisfy the rule.

There is also 30 day rule where if Johnson doesn't report to the Titans within 30 days of Tennessee's first regular season game, he would lose a year credit towards free agency.

Johnson stated his frustration saying, "Anybody would be frustrated when they should be the top paid player and they are just making $550,000. Anybody would be frustrated, but at the end of the day it is a business thing. And I really understand first-hand the business part of the NFL jerseys."

It's a very difficult situation for both sides here. The best option would be to copy what the San Francisco 49ers and Patrick Willis worked out with his contract. Willis signed a 5 year, $50 million contract that effectively worked around the 30 percent rule while also keeping Willis happy.