EON

On Monday the Kansas City Chiefs decided to part ways with malcontent running back Larry Johnson. Johnson has been with the Chiefs since they drafted him in the first round in 2003. He spent his first seasons on the bench behind Pro Bowler Priest Holmes, and despite earning the starting role after Holmes’ retirement Johnson never seemed content on the field or capable of behaving off the field.

Johnson’s career with the Chief’s peaked during the 2005 and 2006 NFL seasons. He rushed for 1,700 yards both seasons and in 2006 rushed for a franchise record 1,789 yards on an NFL record 416 carries. Johnson signed a lucrative contract extension after the 2006 season, but has never been the same. A foot injury in 2007 limited him to 559 yards and three touchdowns, and in 2008 he managed only 874 yards. So far this season, Johnson managed a paltry 2.7 yards a carry behind a poor offensive line.

While Johnson appears to no longer be the power runner he once was his performance on the field is not the main reason behind Kansas City’s choice to release him. In 2008 Johnson was suspended for three games by then Chiefs’ coach Herm Edwards for violating team rules, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him for one more game for violating the leagues’ player conduct policy after several altercations in Kansas City nightclubs. This season Johnson posted several gay slurs on his Twitter page, followed by insulting remarks towards Chiefs’ fans and questioning the competency of head coach Todd Haley.