Larry Johnson and the Chiefs have worked out a new contract.

Five more years on top of this season, which is part of the deal signed when he was drafted four years ago. Six years total, $12 million to sign, $19 million guaranteed.

That it took almost a month into the pre-season for this to get done should come as no surprise. This was a negotiation over a lot of money, one of the biggest contracts in franchise history. The fact that it was a hard deal to hammer out over many weeks and months was not a shock.

From the start, L.J. talked about this deal and the money it would bring as the means to take care of his family, present and future. With a minimum of $19 million headed for his bank account, his family will be well off for many years to come.

But this contract does not come free. Attached to that type of money are new responsibilities for Johnson. Whether he seeks the role or not, whether he likes the position this puts him in or not, this six-year deal makes L.J. the face of the franchise. He may already have held that position over the last season and a half, but this contract cements his status as the No. 1 player in the locker room, the most visible player for the fans and the guy who will be identified with the red helmets and arrowheads.

That means more scrutiny, both inside and outside the organization.

Let’s dispatch quickly with what happens outside the confines of Arrowhead, because it’s not important. As a rule, the fans love Johnson and the way he runs the ball. They also love the way he will sign autographs long after his teammates have left the building. The media doesn’t like L.J., because he won’t play by their rules. He sets his own rules with them and they will never accept that.

Again, all that doesn’t matter. What matters is how Johnson deals with his coaches, his teammates and the rest of the folks around this football team. It’s not only how he acts, but also how he is perceived by those around him.

It’s unlikely that L.J. is going to become a vocal locker room leader, and that’s OK, because it’s not his style. The worst thing he could do is attempt to be something he’s not.

But he must be aware that a lot of eyes are watching him in that locker room. Most of those eyes are younger than his. That hasn’t been the case over his first four seasons, when the team was much older and he was a pup in the kennel.

Remarkably, Johnson is now seventh on the seniority list inside Arrowhead. Only Tony Gonzalez, Greg Wesley, Jason Dunn, Casey Wiegmann, Brian Waters and Eddie Kennison have been with the team longer. It won’t be too many games before only Gonzalez and Waters are ahead of him.

The example L.J. sets on a day-to-day basis will become more important. The way he handles himself in frustrating situations becomes important. The way he handles himself in successful situations becomes important. The way he prepares for a game, for a mini-camp, for an off-season become important. The things he says, or more importantly doesn’t say, become important.

Bring together any group of people and over time they will choose their leaders. Some are thrust into the role by their standing, pedigree, performance or paycheck. That’s Larry Johnson. He qualifies under all that criteria, especially now.

More than ever, he must grasp the responsibility that comes with being one of the best and highly paid players in the game.

Related:
Q&A with CARL PETERSON on Larry Johnson

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