Running back Frank Gore has officially signed with the Indianapolis Colts, as has free agent wide receiver Andre Johnson. Both deals are for three years. The two veterans wanted to reunite and play for the same team, according to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
Frank Gore, Andre Johnson sign with Colts
Gore and Johnson were teammates at the University of Miami and wanted to be teammates again with the Indianapolis Colts.
Gore became a free agent after spending his first 10 seasons in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in all but two seasons and totaled 1,106 yards on the ground in 2014. The Eagles were previously thought to be the leaders for Gore, but the 31-year-old running back reportedly changed his mind and balked on the idea of a deal in Philadelphia. According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports, Gore told a friend that he was concerned about Chip Kelly's intense and overbearing demeanor as well as offseason moves made by the Eagles.
Gore’s contract with the Colts will be similar to the one the Eagles offered. The three-year deal is worth $12 million, with $7.5 million guaranteed, per Adam Schefter.
Johnson, 33, was released by the Houston Texans on Monday and visited the Colts the following day. According to Zierlein, Johnson got in touch with Gore, his former college teammate at the University of Miami, and the pair decided on the Colts together.
Johnson signed a three-year, $21 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
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The Eagles were also reportedly interested in bringing in Johnson, but the pair of Gore and Johnson elected to go elsewhere. Johnson owns every major receiving record in Texans history, while Gore leaves San Francisco as the all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.
The Colts finished third in the NFL in total offense in 2014, but have holes that Gore and Johnson can fill. Trent Richardson was the team’s leading rusher with just 519 yards and 3.3 yards per carry, and no team passed the ball more than the Colts. T.Y. Hilton was the team’s leading wide receiver, but the receiving corps is now thin with the departure of Reggie Wayne.
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