Duke Johnson Optimistic About Extension Talks With Browns

Browns RB Duke Johnson told reporters on Wednesday that he and his agent are still in contract talks regarding an extension.

“We’re still in contract talks,” Johnson said, via Ohio.com. “Taking it day by day. It’s going well. It’s not going bad.

“This is kind of my first contract negotiation. [The] rookie deal is set [by a wage scale when you’re drafted], so this is kind of my first time. So I’m not sure the timetable of when it’s supposed to be done, when it should be done, so we’re taking it one day at a time.

“I’m very optimistic [we’ll get a deal done]. I believe that not only the [coaching] staff but the front office wants me here. It’s just about both sides coming to an agreement.”

According to Johnson, he’s learned that contract negotiations “take forever.”

“I’ve learned that it takes time,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. That’s the one thing that I can say I learned. I’m not in [the negotiations]. I don’t talk to them much about x, y, z. I let them take care of it, let my agent in Philadelphia take care of it. But I did learn it takes forever.”

Johnson, 24, is a former third-round pick of the Browns back in 2015. He’s currently in the final year of his four-year, $3.105 million contract and stands to make a base salary of $742,000 for the 2018 season.

In 2017, Johnson appeared in all 16 games for the Browns and rushed for 348 yards on 82 carries (4.2 YPC) to go along with 74 receptions for 693 yards receiving and seven total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 16 running back out of 58 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a new deal for Johnson as the news is available.