Is Chad Johnson Coming To The Montreal Alouettes?

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Chad Johnson did nothing to stop speculation of the former NFL Pro Bowler continuing his career in the Canadian Football League.

After it was reported that he was added to the negotiation list of the Montreal Alouettes (a list of non-import players that a team has exclusive rights to negotiate with), he tweeted out this response:

Johnson is 36 years old and hasn’t played in the NFL since 2011 when he was a member of the New England Patriots. In 2012, he tried to make the Miami Dolphins but was released after he was arrested.

He served 30 days in jail and was released in June 2013.

The Alouettes already have a lot of talent at wide receiver in S.J. Green, Jamel Richardson and Duron Carter. Adding a motivated – and serious – Johnson would obviously be a coup but on a big field it will be interesting to see if he can remain a major contributor.

He has yet to even sign with the CFL team, but obviously the chance is there and it will be very interesting to see if he embraces the CFL or sees this as a stunt to one day return south of the border.

In 11 seasons in the NFL, 10 with the Cincinnati Bengals, Johnson finished with 766 receptions for 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns.

Other notable former NFL players to join the Alouettes after key roles in the NFL have had mixed results. From acceptable (Lawrence Phillips) to utterly forgettable (Quincy Carter and Jesse Palmer).

The Alouettes also have quarterback-turned ESPN analyst Tim Tebow on their negotiation list although there is no expectation that he will make the trip north. After all, look at all the things he did this year without a contract.