Browns RB Duke Johnson Says He Still Wants To Be Traded

Browns RB Duke Johnson said he still prefers to be traded, per Scott Petrak.

Johnson was in attendance Tuesday for Browns mandatory minicamp after skipping all of Cleveland’s voluntary OTA’s. He requested a trade shortly after the Browns signed RB Kareem Hunt in free agency. 

“I was put on the trade block. At the end of the day I understand the nature of the business. I understand, ya know, John Dorsey’s job is to do what’s best for the team and the organization,” Johnson said, per Mary Kay Cabot. “Again if that’s getting rid of me for a bigger piece and a better piece, I’m okay with it. Like I said before, my trade request was to meet them at a middle ground. I was put on the trade block about a month before I requested a trade. That’s all it is.”

Johnson added that he missed bonding with his teammates when he was away from the team during OTA’s, via Cabot, and that if he’s not traded, he won’t be a disgruntled employee. 

Browns GM John Dorsey has said the Browns have no plans to trade Johnson despite reportedly receiving interest from multiple teams.

Johnson is projected behind second-year starter RB Nick Chubb, but Hunt is slated to miss the first eight games of the season due to suspension. Dorsey and HC Freddie Kitchens have said multiple times they have a plan to use Johnson this year. 

Johnson, 25, is a former third-round pick of the Browns back in 2015. He was in the final year of his four-year, $3.105 million contract when he agreed to a three-year, $15.6 million extension for the 2018 season. 

Johnson stands to make base salaries of $1.8 million and $3.6 million over the next two years of the agreement.

In 2018, Johnson appeared in all 16 games for the Browns and rushed for 201 yards on 40 carries (5 YPC) to go along with 47 receptions for 429 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

We’ll have more regarding Johnson as the news is available.