Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson has admitted that he laughed when the club told him his role was to be reduced in the 2015 season.
The 33-year-old has been allowed to seek a trade move away from the club after baulking at the idea of playing a limited role for the AFC South side in the next campaign.
Johnson has revealed that he was shocked when head coach Bill O'Brien told him about his plans, which has resulted in the wideout ending his 12 years with the club.
"I just laughed," Johnson told the Houston Chronicle. "They gave me my role, and I just laughed at them. How do you tell a guy who is used to catching 80 balls a year that he was going to catch 40?
"I was floored. I don't feel like there is a guy on that team that can outplay me or outwork me. I mean, who am I going to play behind?
"So I was real honest with him: 'If that's your role for me, you're going to be dealing with a miserable football player.'"
Johnson is the Texans' all-time leading receiver as he has recorded 1,012 receptions for 13,597 yards along with 64 touchdowns in his 12 years with the team.
Simon Sinclair
