BEREA, Ohio — Running back Duke Johnson Jr.’s future with the Cleveland Browns has been the topic of much debate and discussion since the organization signed one-time Pro Bowl ball-carrier Kareem Hunt in early February, and the questions grew louder when he did not show up for the voluntary portion of the offseason program.
On Tuesday, the Browns began their three-day mandatory minicamp, and after being on the field with his teammates, Johnson Jr. clearly stated his desire to be traded before the start of the 2019 regular season.
“I just think it’s better for me to get ahead of this, and if I’m going to be with a new team, I prefer it be before midseason just to give me a fair shot with the new team and just a chance to actually make a difference and play,” Johnson Jr. said of his request.
“Going in midseason is kind of tough, as you’ve seen with Carlos (Hyde). It’s tough just getting in there because they have their guys, they have their system and you’ve just got to play catch-up.”
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 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.
“I was put on the trade block a month before I requested a trade,” Johnson Jr. said.
“That’s essentially my biggest issue. Again, my role since I’ve been on this team hasn’t been big for four years, not just last year. It hasn’t been for four years, and again, didn’t ask for a trade, didn’t complain, just came out and did my job.”
So, what happens if the Browns cannot or do not trade Johnson Jr. before the start of the season?
Well, according to Johnson Jr., the Browns will get the same kind of effort they got during his first four years with the organization.
“I won’t be a disgruntled employee,” Johnson Jr. said.
“I won’t be causing scenes and losing focus on what’s really important. I won’t do that, and the reason I waited until now to do a media interview is because I didn’t want to take away from the team while I was home and not here. So, I waited until I got here to do an interview because I didn’t want to be a distraction.”
Although upset by being placed on the trade block, Johnson Jr. did not “look at it as being blindsided.” Instead, Johnson Jr. plans on doing his job until the day comes where he is no longer a member of the organization.
“It’s about being a professional,” Johnson Jr. said. “There’s a lot of things at your job that you don’t like and you’re not happy with, but that doesn’t mean you don’t do your job. You still do your job.”