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Agent: Andre Johnson didn't ask to be traded

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Andre Johnson's agent confirmed Tuesday that his client was given permission from the Houston Texans to seek a trade, but said it wasn't until talks of a reduced role came up that he made the request. 

"Andre did not, in the last couple of days, go in and ask for a trade," Kennard McGuire said during an appearance on SportsRadio 610, according to CBS Houston. "Certain things were expressed to (Andre) in which he didn't agree with. And at that point in time permission was thusly granted to seek an opportunity elsewhere. That was not something that we asked for. That was something that was presented to us.

"The contractual matters never did come up. The only thing that was discussed was the role and that was in fact that there would be a reduced role."

Johnson held out of the Texans' offseason workouts, organized team activities and mandatory minicamp last season, but eventually rejoined the team during training camp. McGuire said one of the reasons for the hold out was to get reassurances from the Texans that Johnson would be part of the team in 2015.

"What we were looking to do last year was have an element of assurance that we wouldn't be in this position this year," McGuire said. "That was not asking for any more dollars. Basically what we wanted was the security in knowing that (Johnson) would be playing for the Texans in '15."

McGuire believes that reducing Johnson's role was a roundabout way for the Texans to ask him to take a pay cut. 

"There were several conversation that took place and he did get that information that, 'You're fine, don't worry about that,'" McGuire said of the conversations that took place last year. "We understand that this is the reality of our business and as Andre and I have always talked, I believe in life that you exit the same way you entered. So, if you entered in a classy way you're going to exit in the same way as well."

If Johnson is unable to find a trade partner, the Texans will cut him. Either way, McGuire believes there will be interest in the veteran wide receiver.

"(The Texans) just granted permission. We're on the ground running now," McGuire said. “I believe there will be a market for him.”

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