Texans owner Bob McNair hopes to sign Andre Johnson to a new contract within "a couple weeks" and keep the star receiver in Houston for his entire career according to the Associated Press.

Johnson participated in the team's first training camp workout on Friday, setting aside his still unresolved contract situation. He wants a new deal, even though he has five years left on his current $60 million contract, but he also said he didn't want to become a team distraction by holding out.

"I know if I wasn't here, it would be a big thing," Johnson said.

McNair said he wouldn't usually restructure a player's contract so long before it expires. But Johnson is the most accomplished and recognized player in franchise history, and McNair said his stature will earn him different treatment in contract negotiations.

"We've never done anything like this before, and there has to be a reason to do it," McNair said. "Andre is a special guy and we're giving him some special consideration."

McNair is confident the two sides will strike a long-term deal.

"We think that he is going to be our first Hall of Famer and we'd like to see him spend his entire career with the Texans," McNair said. "Hopefully, that is what we will be able to achieve. We're ready to sit down and talk about putting something together that might allow that to happen."