In a grievance hearing before Stephen Burbank, Johnson was found to have violated the terms of his contract when he received a one-game suspension by the league last year for two off-field assault incidents involving women that resulted in his arrest.

Johnson last month pleaded guilty to two reduced charges of disturbing the peace.

Though Burbank ruled that the Chiefs could not get back payments already made to Johnson in 2008, he took the team off the hook in the next two years. Johnson was to get a guaranteed $3.5 million in 2009 and another $250,000 in 2010 under terms of a contract negotiated before the 2007 season.

The Chiefs have to decide whether to play, trade or release the one-time running standout who has said repeatedly that he wants out of Kansas City, saying he no longer has a role in the Chiefs' offense.

Burbank's ruling essentially bought the Chiefs some time to make a decision. No longer financially obligated to pay Johnson, they can shop him around before the draft, which seems to be their first choice.

Of course, it's equally likely that Johnson will not command much in trade value now. The soon-to-be 30-year-old runner was a player in demand in 2005 and '06, seasons in which he ran for 1,750 yards.

Johnson demanded and received a $19 million contract extension the next year, but a foot injury limited him to only half a season. When the Chiefs switched from a power-running game to a spread offense last year to accommodate the skills of replacement quarterback Tyler Thigpen, Johnson's role became that of a role player.

It's also possible, but not very likely, that Johnson can prove to general manager Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley during the spring that he's a changed man who deserves a role in the Chiefs' offense. His full salary should he play under his existing contract in 2009 is $4.4 million.

That likely is way too high a price for a player who has said too many times that he doesn't want to be in Kansas City.