Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson has relieved his now former agent of his duties as he no longer has representation.
It has been quite some time since Duke Johnson has requested a trade. Obviously that trade has not yet happened as he is still a member of the Cleveland Browns. That did not stop Johnson from deciding a change was needed in regards to representation. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting that Duke Johnson no longer has an agent.
As Rapoport also mentions, Duke Johnston has skipped voluntary team activities. This is not all that surprising considering his trade request. Johnson’s desire for a trade is not all that surprising. With the emergence of Nick Chubb and the signing of Kareem Hunt, Johnson is obviously the odd man out. That is of course when/if Hunt does play.
Johnson signed a team friendly deal back in 2018. Many criticized Johnson for signing the deal, but considering his previous contract was about to expire and this could secure life-changing money for Johnson it is hard to argue against it.
There is the idea that Johnson signed this contract for right now only to potentially sign a bigger deal later. During the time under the current contract Johnson could build value for free agency or possibly even negotiate an extension with Cleveland. Now that does not seem to be in the cards due to the current running backs on the roster.
Whether Duke Johnson finds a way to be traded from Cleveland remains to be seen. This will have to be done by either himself or who he decides is right to represent him in the future. Either way Duke Johnson appears set on finding a new place to call home. Even though up to this moment in time the Browns do not appear to be wiling to trade the four year veteran. Although a change in representation could rectify the situation and keep Johnson in Cleveland.
UPDATE
Adam Schefter of ESPN has reported that Duke Johnson has found new representation.
As Schefter mentions Rosenhaus has helped two others get out of Cleveland. The trade of Emmanuel Ogbah and getting Breshad Perriman out of his deal with the Browns after Cleveland acquired Odell Beckham Jr. It appears that Duke Johnson’s days in Cleveland are numbered.
