Cardinals All-Pro running back David Johnson retires after eight NFL seasons

However, Johnson’s budding career was derailed in 2017. The guard dislocated his wrist in the first week of the season and did not return until 2018. He signed a $39 million contract extension dollars with Arizona before the 18 campaign, but did not see it through to completion.

In one of the most lopsided trades in recent NFL history, Johnson was shipped to Houston during the 2020 offseason in exchange for star DeAndre Hopkins. Johnson went with second and fourth round picks to the Texans in exchange for Hopkins and a fourth round pick. The trade, executed by then-coach and general manager Bill O’Brien, was called off, and Johnson’s production in Houston didn’t help matters.

He spent only two years with the Texans, totaling 1,458 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in 25 games played. (Hopkins, meanwhile, spent three seasons in Arizona, hauling in 221 passes for 2,696 yards and 17 scores in 35 games played.) Johnson closed out his career in 2022, recording 16 touches with the Saints.

Johnson leaves football with 4,071 rushing yards and 39 rushing scores on 1,007 attempts, plus 2,805 receiving yards and 18 receiving touchdowns on 277 receptions.