Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt has insisted that the club have no plans to release veteran linebacker Derrick Johnson.
The Chiefs are narrowly under the salary cap following their moves in free agency, leaving them with little space to sign their picks in the 2015 Draft.
Johnson – who missed the majority of the 2014 campaign with an Achilles injury – is due to earn $5.2m (£3.5m) in the next campaign, and the club could save a large portion of room by cutting the player.
However, Hunt is adamant that will not be the case, telling reporters: "Derrick is obviously one of the greatest inside linebackers to ever play for the club and there are some pretty good ones, if you go back in time.
"In terms of the modern era of the Chiefs, it's hard to think about the club without thinking about Derrick at inside linebacker. He's a great leader, he's a tremendous person, represents the club well on and off the field.
"We're looking forward to having him back this year, hopefully good as new.You mentioned that his contract is up this year. There will be a point in time where we address that. But it just hasn't been germane to this point."
Johnson has recorded 874 tackles, 20.5 sacks and 11 interceptions in his 10 years at the club.
Simon Sinclair
