Johnson Headed To Washington

Quarterback Brad Johnson's career with the Minnesota Vikings ended Monday when they traded him to the Washington Redskins for a package of draft picks.

Officially choosing Randall Cunningham as the leader of their high-powered offense, the Vikings sent their one-time starter to the Redskins for first- and third-round draft choices this year and a second-round pick in 2000.

"Brad is excited," said Phil Williams, Johnson's agent. "It's always bittersweet when you've had such a good situation. He's loved Minnesota, but when things happen the way they did he realized that the situation pretty much was going to predicate him leaving."

The Vikings scheduled a 10 p.m. EST news conference to discuss the trade.

Washington made the deal after their starting quarterback, Trent Green, signed with St. Louis as a free agent Monday. The Redskins will give up the second of their two first-round picks, 11th overall.

"We made a decision not to re-sign Trent because we were going to trade for Brad Johnson," said Charley Casserly, Washington's general manager.

Johnson is scheduled to take a physical with the Redskins on Tuesday morning to complete the deal.

Johnson was an afterthought when the Vikings took him in the ninth round of the 1992 draft. Johnson hadn't even been a starter during his senior season at Florida State, and the Vikings didn't activate him for a game until 1994, his third season.

But they never gave up on his potential, either. Johnson earned the No. 2 job behind Warren Moon in 1994, then spent another season behind Moon before finally getting his chance in 1996.

When Moon was hurt during the season opener, Johnson came on to throw the winning touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter against Detroit. He started his first game at Atlanta the following week, throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns to earn NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Johnson took over the starting job for good in November that season, and earned a $15.5 million contract extension a month later.

However, injuries have defined Johnson's career since then.

He was among the NFL's top quarterbacks in 1997 until a neck injury cost him the final five games. Johnson was back as the starter when the 1998 season began, but he broke a bone in his right leg at St. Louis in Week 2 and gave way to Cunningham.

Cunningham went on to an All-Pro season, leading the Vikings to a 15-1 regular season record and the most points in NFL history before their upset loss to Atlanta in the NFC championship ame. Johnson returned for one game during the season, when Cunningham hurt his knee early against New Orleans on Nov. 8.

But Johnson broke the thumb on his passing hand that day, and although he played the entire second half with the injury he once again was out of a starting job.

When the Vikings rewarded Cunningham with a $28 million contract extension in December, it also became clear that Johnson probably would be moving on. He issued a play-me-or-trade me edict the day after the loss to the Falcons, and the Vikings honored his request Monday after talking with several other teams, most prominently the Baltimore Ravens.

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