Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians made it clear he wanted to re-sign the players he had in 2015. They been doing that and added one more to the mix, re-signing veteran running back Chris Johnson to a one-year contract. Johnson had already publicly stated he wanted to return and the Cardinals wanted him to return, but there was interest from other teams.
Johnson was gracious for the interest from other organizations, but tweeted this to announce his return to the desert:
I like to thx all the teams that was involved but I we have unfinished business in AZ let's get that ring
— Chris Johnson (@ChrisJohnson28) March 17, 2016
Johnson originally signed with the Cardinals at the beginning of training camp last year when there were injuries at the running back position. He had gone unsigned in the offseason after he took a bullet to the shoulder.
He got hurt in camp but made a huge impact on the offense. Andre Ellington got hurt in Week 1 and Johnson took over starting duties and rushed for 814 yards, averaging more than 4.2 yards per carry and gaining more than 100 yards in four games. His season ended against the 49ers when he suffered chip fracture on his tibia and was placed on injured reserve. The team designated him for return and he would have been in the lineup if the team had made it to the Super Bowl.
Johnson's return brings a steadiness to the backfield playing behind David Johnson, who broke out after the veteran Johnson got hurt and Andre Ellington got injured again that same game.
Johnson and Johnson make a potent 1-2 at running back and potentially could keep Arizona's offense humming the way it did for most of last season when it set all sorts of offensive team records.
Chris Johnson has 9442 rushing yards in his career and has a shot at 10,000 with a solid 2016. He is fourth among active players in career rushing yards and 33rd on the NFL all-time list.