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It appears it was not, in fact an injury that held David Johnson out of the final two voluntary organized team activities last week.
No, instead it seems we have a good ol’ fashioned holdout on our hands as the Arizona Cardinals star running back will not be attending mandatory mini-camp per Adam Schefter:
Cardinals’ RB David Johnson is skipping this week’s mandatory minicamp that begins today, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 12, 2018
There have been discussions regarding a new contract and both sides hopeful. Johnson scheduled to make $1.8 million in last year of his deal.
The responses to David Johnson holding out are not surprising in the least, as fans most of the time tend to side with management and don’t understand the reasoning for such actions.
One good year, 2 major injuries and now a holdout???
— Chad B (@CBMOTO1) June 12, 2018
holding out after missing all of last season ? wow
— Chargers For Life (@Imthatdude619) June 12, 2018
Guy just missed the whole season and expect to get paid? I hope the cards don’t sign him for too much cause he needs to prove he’s hundred percent now
— richard howe (@HoweRhowe1980) June 12, 2018
I love when players “holdout” like they have better options they’re foolish this guy can play but did he forget he got paid last year to recover from injury on the bench all year
— Jay Garcia (@strongopinion) June 12, 2018
It would be idiotic for the Cardinals to extend him now. He's coming off a season missed due to injury, and needs to prove he's not prone before getting big money.
— Deadpoolverine (@Deadpoolverine) June 12, 2018
If this is true, he's no longer my favorite player and the cardinals should trade him. He had a great read but isn't really proven to be durable.
— mike lopez (@mikelop98247015) June 12, 2018
How many holdouts has Fitz had? Not a classy move for DJ
— Garrett (@Garrett64130151) June 12, 2018
Honor your contract and get out there, think you might need the practice after not playing last year!
— Jason hodge (@hodge_jasonhdg) June 12, 2018
So if I have one good year in the NFL, get injured and be out the whole season you are saying there’s a chance I could hold out for money? Sign me up pic.twitter.com/vvo6Zan9AV
— Dyl (@dylankosnik) June 12, 2018
He is unproven and coming off a bad injury. Maybe he got severely concussed too? What a beautiful disaster he's pulling with this stunt.
— Matthew Chalupski (@mchalups) June 12, 2018
What some of the fans may be missing is what good friend of the site Coximus had to say:
All the reasons that fans are giving to show that David Johnson is wrong to want a new contract are exactly why this is actually good
— Doncimus (@Coximus2) June 12, 2018
Worst case scenario is he puts up 3000 all purpose yards this season and then is a free agent
Now is the time for a deal
Which is what I thought we all agreed was the plan for this off season?
— Doncimus (@Coximus2) June 12, 2018
Money is there and it's cheaper to extend him now... I don't really understand the outrage
This is actually ideal for the Cardinals to get David Johnson under contract and control this season so that they don’t go into a feud over money the next several seasons.
With a contract this offseason, you set the market, because if things go well this year with DJ, the market is going to be $12+ million a year, or more likely a franchise tag.
This gives the Cardinals a shot to get Johnson under contract for around or even under $10 million a season, on a four year deal that allows him to be compensated well, but also push money into 2019 and beyond, when the Cardinals are likely to have plenty.
The outrage, maybe it will prove to be accurate, but for now, it just seems over the top.