Given good blocking and a fresh start, Johnson might still be the power-running Pro Bowler who had back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons for Kansas City.

Or he might be a declining malcontent who'll only cost money and cause trouble.

Any team with a faltering running game is bound to be tempted by Johnson, despite his baggage and his age (he turns 30 on Nov. 19).

"Any player that's available, we look at," said Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith. "That's been our standard policy throughout. That'll be the case with Larry."

Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak agreed.

"When a name like that comes on the free-agent market like today, we'll obviously go back and take a look at him just like any other player," Kubiak said. "Obviously, he's been a good player in this league and I'm sure he'll get a lot of interest from a lot of people."

Johnson has been a high-maintenance player since the Chiefs drafted him in the first round out of Penn State in 2003. Unhappy because he thought he was going to be taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Johnson brooded while playing behind Pro Bowler Priest Holmes. He even prompted coach Dick Vermeil to say it was time for him "to take the diapers off."

His last brush with controversy came two weeks ago when he posted on his Twitter account a gay slur, insulted followers and questioned the competence of head coach Todd Haley.

Johnson was suspended for two weeks, but Haley said the final decision to cast him aside was not made until early yesterday.

Behind a poor offensive line this year, Johnson has averaged a paltry 2.7 yards (132 carries, 358 yards) for the 1-7 Chiefs and appeared not to have the quickness and punishing power that enabled him to rush for more than 1,700 yards in Pro Bowl seasons in 2005 and '06.

Since rushing for a team-record 1,789 yards on an NFL-record 416 carries in 2006, Johnson has never been quite the same.

After that record-setting season, Johnson stayed away from training camp in 2007, demanding more money, and he got it, a six-year deal worth $45 million, including $19 million guaranteed.

But hampered by a foot injury, he wound up with only 559 yards and three touchdowns. In 2008, he ran for 874 yards as the Chiefs sank to 2-14.

"A part of him is excited and a part of him is very regretful," said his agent, Peter Schaffer.