Early in the 2008 offseason, Bengals receiver Chad Johnson embarked on an attempt to be traded to any other NFL team (and also the Raiders). He made it clear that he wants out of Cincinnati, and then he later made it clear that he never wanted to leave.
With the Bengals mired in an 0-4 funk and facing one of the best teams in the league at Dallas on Sunday, Johnson seems to be renewing his effort to leave Ohio.
I tried, Johnson said during a Wednesday conference call with reporters. I talked to 81 almost every day, man. I love 81. We talk all the time. That wouldve been a circus.
Let me tell you, I dont mean to be funny . . . . Im not tried to be rude or piss anybody off, but if I was in Dallas, they would have to change all of our damn games to pay-per-view because you need to pay to see that [bleep]. Im serious. Im so serious. They would have to put all the games on pay-per-view. Because you cant just watch a show like that for free; 81 and 85? Come on, now. Please.
And Johnson then made it pretty clear that hes still interested in making it happen.
Tell Jerry Jones I said hello, and give me a call some time, Johnson said at the end of the conference call.
The Bengals reportedly told Johnson once he re-embraced the team that, if he behaves for all of the 2008 season, they might look into giving him a new deal next year. Its pretty safe to say that his new deal is now in jeopardy.