Is Jessica Simpson being used solely for money by new boyfriend Eric Johnson? That's what sources reportedly close to the star say, but we highly doubt it.

Having sex with her probably plays a role in his thinking as well.

In any case, Jessica has been involved in some crash-and-burn love affairs since divorcing Nick Lachey, and pals fear she's headed down that path again.

She been dating Eric Johnson for only two months, but sources say that's been plenty of time for the former tight end to swoop in, move in and cash in!

Jess' friends fear that her unemployed new boyfriend, who hasn't held  a steady gig since he was cut by the New Orleans Saints in 2008, is using her.

Eric Johnson can't wait to tackle Jessica Simpson ... but is he motivated only by dollar signs? The photo above hints at some other sources of interest, most likely.

On top of living in her $5 million Redwood, Calif., mansion, he accompanied her to Italy for her 30th birthday where he lived it up in a $3,000-a-night suite.

The pair lounged aboard her $5,000-a-day chartered yacht and dined at only the finest restaurants, including Monzù in Capri’s five-star hotel Punta Tragara.

Not a bad life, although he is a Yale graduate and former NFL player, not some deadbeat with no money or potential job prospects ... in theory anyway.

"Jessica is so starved for love, she just doesn't see any of Eric's faults," an insider reports. "She's totally been paying for everything in their relationship."

"It doesn't seem like Eric intends to stop that anytime soon."