CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson Jr. reported to team headquarters in Berea ahead of the start of training camp Thursday despite continuing to pursue trade options.
Johnson Jr. made it clear during mandatory minicamp in early June that he wanted to be traded after believing the organization put him on the trade block following the signing of Pro Bowl ball-carrier Kareem Hunt. However, Browns coach Freddie Kitchens and general manager John Dorsey reiterated the fact that Johnson Jr. will have a critical role in the offense during the 2019 season.
“Duke Johnson is a Cleveland Brown, he signed a contract last year,” Kitchens said during the opening press conference of training camp Wednesday. “He’s going to be here. He’s going to have a role in our offense, and he’s going to have a significant role in our offense.”
Johnson Jr.’s future with the Browns has been the topic of much debate and discussion since the organization signed Hunt in early February, and the questions grew louder when he did not show up for the voluntary portion of the offseason program.
After stating during mandatory minicamp his desire to be traded, Johnson Jr. parted ways with his former agent and hired well-known representative Drew Rosenhaus, who successfully negotiated a release from the Browns for Breshad Perriman after hours after signing him to a contract once they acquired Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants.
“Duke’s a Cleveland Brown,” Dorsey said. “As a Cleveland Brown, he reported, so let’s move forward on this. Let’s move forward here because we’ve got a lot of goals at stake here in the 2019 season, so let’s build together.”
After leading the Browns with 74 catches during the 2017 season, Johnson Jr. caught just 47 passes and got 40 carries. Despite the lightened workload, Johnson Jr. averaged a career-high 5.0 yards per carry and matched a single-season personal best with three touchdown receptions.
Selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft after a record-setting career with the University of Miami, Johnson Jr. has rushed for 1,286 yards and five touchdowns with 71 first downs and five 20-yard bursts on 299 carries over 64 games in his four years with the Browns.
Johnson Jr. has turned 235 catches into 2,170 yards, eight touchdowns, 29 20-yard plays, two 40-yard efforts and 103 first downs.
“He’s a productive player,” Kitchens said. “We’re not giving away good players, okay? We want good players, and if John can get more good players, I will take them. Don’t worry about the ball, alright? We’ll find enough balls for them. We just want good players that can make plays.”