How serious are the Cincinnati Bengals about not giving in to Chad Johnson's trade demands?
Chad Johnson
Johnson
Serious enough to swat away an offer from the Washington Commanders that could have netted the Bengals two first-round draft picks, team and league sources said.
The Commanders offered its first-round pick, No. 21 overall, and a conditional third-rounder in 2009 that could escalate to a first rounder if Johnson and the Commanders hit certain performance levels, the sources said.
It was not the first time the Commanders approached the Bengals about a deal, but it was the first significant proposal.
The Bengals have not only rejected the Commanders, but two other NFC East suitors -- the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles -- have been informed that there has been no change in the team's position that Johnson will not be traded.
The Bengals have noted to those suitors that Johnson has been the "second-highest paid receiver" in the NFL during the past three years, indignant about suggestions that Johnson also wants a new contract, the sources said.
Trading Johnson also would mean Cincinnati would take an $8 million salary-cap hit, but that amount could be split over the next two years. Additionally, as one owner who wished to remain anonymous told ESPN.com, "There's nothing wrong with dead money. It's cash already paid and it's cash back in your pocket that you don't have to spend, especially with the [high] amount of everyone's salary cap these days."
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