New England Patriots - NESN.com
Former New England Patriots receiver Chad Johnson opened up on his failed tenure with the team.
The Patriots acquired Johnson from the Cincinnati Bengals in the summer of 2011. The hope was that the veteran receiver would give Tom Brady and the offense another weapon.
However, Johnson struggled mightily in Foxboro, as he had the worst season of his NFL career, recording just 15 receptions for 276 yards and a touchdown, and was released after the season. It was also the final season of his NFL career.
Now, reflecting on his tenure with the Patriots, Johnson admitted he couldn’t be himself, which was an issue for him.
“People always ask, what was it like playing in New England? I say I ain’t never been to the army, I’ve never been to the navy,” Johnson said on Inspired Touchdowns, via Michael Rodnick. “But if I had to give an example of what I think it would probably be like, it’d be like playing in New England. Listen, it don’t matter who you are, you could be one of the greatest of all-time, if you act up here and you don’t do it the Patriot Way, you are out. …
“I was there on damn near eggshells. There’s a reason why my career, or my time there in New England, that one year. looked the way it did. For one, I couldn’t be myself.”
Johnson said every player was held to a high standard and had to play and practice a certain way. So, Johnson didn’t want to cause any problems, so he stuck to himself, which was an issue as he couldn’t be himself.
Johnson was a six-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in receiving yards in 2006. But with the Patriots, his season didn’t go as planned.
