The Chiefs now have made their response. They say they don't want to pay Johnson some $3.75 million he has coming in 2009 and 2010 because of the one-game league suspension he received last year, an action the club contends is a violation of the contract Johnson signed in August of 2007 after back to back 1,750-yard rushing seasons.

Now both sides are wanting to see what special master Stephen Burbank of the University of Pennsylvania has to say after hearing both sides in a contract grievance April 1.

There are strong whispers suggesting the Chiefs want to release Johnson should the finding be in their favor.

Johnson, after all, has been a shadow of his former self after getting the big new deal.

A foot injury caused him to miss the second half of the 2007 campaign. Last year the team switched from a power running game designed around Johnson to a semi-spread passing game built around replacement quarterback Tyler Thigpen. The switch diminished Johnson's role, and on several occasions he said he wanted out of Kansas City, a place where he said he simply doesn't fit.

The Chiefs, apparently, wouldn't mind seeing him go, either, but only if they don't have to pay him the $3.5 million due this year and another $200,000 in 2010.

Remember, the club suspended Johnson for three games last year before the NFL added its one-game suspension. The action was for unspecified violations of team rules, but it followed closely news of Johnson's arrest on municipal court charges of simple assault involving two separate incidents with women in Kansas City nightclubs.

Johnson settled his legal problems before his grievance hearing by pleading guilty to two counts of disturbing the peace. He was sentenced to two years probation, 40 hours of community service and was ordered to stay out of bars after 9 p.m.

The special master's decision on the salary issue is expected next week. Meanwhile, Johnson reportedly participated in the first of the team's offseason workouts.