Former Hawaii offensive lineman Aaron Kia has signed a free-agent contract with the New York Jets.

Kia started all 13 games at left tackle for the Warriors last season and was named to the All-Western Athletic Conference second team as a senior.

The Mililani graduate previously had a tryout with the San Francisco 49ers at their rookie mini camp. Kia joins former UH players Wayne Hunter and Brashton Satele with the Jets. Satele also signed a free-agent contract earlier this month.

Johnson stays off field

Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson wants a new contract.

The Pro Bowl wideout skipped the team's first voluntary practice of the offseason yesterday and no one is sure when he'll join the team.

Johnson has five years left on an eight-year contract worth $60 million that included $15 million in guarantees. The Texans restructured his first contract with two years remaining.

General manager Rick Smith said the situation is “;very difficult”; because Johnson has so much time left on his current contract.

“;It is because it's something that's not customary, that's not common,”; he said.

Still, the GM said he was willing to talk with Johnson.

“;I'm not real worried about that because we redid him with two years left on his original deal and that was three years ago and over the first three years of that deal ... he's been well compensated,”; he said.

Johnson, who is entering his eighth season, has had more than 1,500 yards receiving in each of the last two years for the Texans.

The team's policy under Smith has been to only negotiate with players who are participating in team activities.