Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson will report to training camp Tuesday even though his desire to be traded has not changed.

The Cleveland Browns begin training camp Tuesday and all eyes are on the status of running back Duke Johnson.

Whether or not Duke Johnson would attend Cleveland Browns training camp was questionable. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Johnson will indeed attend training camp.

Duke Johnson attending is not necessarily a surprise. It also would not have been a surprise if he did not attend. Johnson’s desire to be traded has not changed. Johnson decided to change his representation a few weeks ago. Now that Drew Rosenhaus represents Johnson it seems like a pretty safe bet that Johnson will end up elsewhere. As mentioned previously, Rosenhaus has successfully got several players out of Cleveland in the past. Including Emmanuel Ogbah and Breshad Perriman.

The problem for Johnson is that he is not in a position of power here. Cleveland has all the leverage. Johnson is not the lead back and there are other options available for the Browns. This is vastly different than the situation in Los Angeles with Melvin Gordon. Gordon knows that he is “the guy” in the backfield and can hold out in order to get a new contract. Gordon is also a much better running back than Johnson.

The best chance for Duke Johnson to be dealt is if a running back goes down with a serious injury. This does not necessarily mean that Johnson would be in the driver’s seat in regards to his status with the Browns. It just means that a team would need to acquire a running back and Cleveland may be able to get more for him in this scenario rather than if they attempted to deal him now.

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.

When Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson was asked about his earlier trade request he stated he still wants to be traded.

Chalk this up as the least surprising development this offseason. Duke Johnson still wants to be traded. After arriving at mandatory minicamp Johnson was asked about the matter.

Duke Johnson went on to add the following.

There are two things to take away from this statement.

First off he will still do his job. This is a good thing for the Browns considering their running back depth at this current point in time. The starter is clearly Nick Chubb. Eventually Kareem Hunt will see time in the backfield. Hunt is suspended for the first half the season making Johnson that much more important. Without Johnson there is not a backup or change of pace running back to start the year. This leaves the Browns in a bad spot if there is an injury. Additionally when Chubb needs a break they will need someone to turn to. For the time being that appears to be Johnson.

The second thing to take away from Johnson’s statement is in regards to the trade request. Being miffed when being placed on the trade block is completely understandable. A player would rather be wanted than viewed as expendable. Johnson apparently feels the Browns see him as expendable. Wanting to be a part of an organization that values you is what any person wants. This goes for non-athletes as well. Why would someone want to stay in an organization that does not them? There is not a reason for that logic. Wanting to move on and get a fresh start makes absolute and complete perfect sense.

The Cleveland Browns made it clear that they want to move on from Duke Johnson. Johnson returned the favor and requested a trade. It is the best for everyone to make a trade.

Duke Johnson wants out of Cleveland and it may be the best for all parties involved for the Browns to move in a different direction.

It has been quite some time since Duke Johnson requested a trade. All reports indicate that the Cleveland Browns are not interested in moving the veteran running back. However it may be best for both parties to go in separate directions.

John Dorsey has stated several times that the team will not trade Duke Johnson. Even so the team should at least entertain the thought. Johnson is obviously not happy since he asked to be traded. The addition of Kareem Hunt and the emergence of Nick Chubb will obviously eat away at any playing time and future earning potential. It is not all that surprising that Johnson wants out, especially considering how highly many think of Johnson.

Duke Johnson is an incredibly talented running back who has shown flashes of being a game changer in the NFL. Johnson is filled with potential and in the right system that potential could be unlocked. The problem is that the Browns are not in a spot currently to bank on potential. Cleveland needs players who can make an impact now, not hopeful impact later.

Johnson’s workload has been inconsistent and varies by the year. It is almost an up and down pattern.

2015: 104 rushing attempts 379 yards, 61 receptions 534 receiving yards

2016: 73 rushing attempts 358 yards, 53 receptions 514 receiving yards

2017: 82 rushing attempts 348 yards, 74 receptions 793 receiving yards

2018: 40 rushing attempts 201 yards, 47 receptions 429 receiving yards

There have been times where Duke Johnson has shown promise as a running back. It is also worth noting that Johnson’s more productive years came during some pretty poor seasons for the Browns. Cleveland went 4-44 during the best seasons from Johnson. Johnson’s least productive year came during a 7-8-1 campaign for Cleveland. This may be just a coincidence, but it is worth noting.

Cleveland is going to have find a replacement for Duke Johnson. Considering his relatively modest workload his replacement will not be relied on for a whole lot. Nick Chubb will handle the majority of the duties at running back and Kareem Hunt should return midseason. At that point the amount of playing time for Johnson may be near non-existent. Johnson is essentially being edged out. He may be able to find more playing time and a better situation for him elsewhere. The Browns should move on now before an unhappy player becomes an issue in a locker room that finally appears to be good culture-wise.

Even though the Cleveland Browns have stated they do not want to trade Duke Johnson, could a trade on draft day be in the cards?

Cleveland Browns general manager has stated he does not intend to trade running back Duke Johnson. Head coach Freddie Kitchens apparently views him as integral to their offense next season. All of this does not change the fact that Johnson requested a trade. It is clear that Johnson does not view that he has a longterm future in Cleveland with the current stable of running backs on the roster. Nick Chubb is the obvious starter with the suspended Kareem Hunt coming in as a reinforcement halfway through the season. Johnson is the odd man out and he sees that. Even though Cleveland has stated they will not trade Johnson, could a trade still happen on draft day?

A move back into the first round could make a trade of Duke Johnson possible.

There is a feeling among some that John Dorsey may try to move back into the first round. (Cleveland does not have a first round pick this season due to the trade for Odell Beckham Jr.). There is the possibility that if the right player is still available towards the end of the first round that Dorsey could make his move. A move that could include Duke Johnson. The Browns statements in regards to Johnson could be an act to inflate his value and make him more desirable. Even though the talent he possesses in conjunction with his affordable contract (three years and $15.6 million remaining) may be enough to make a move without artificially increasing trade interest.

Of course it would take more than just Cleveland’s second rounder and Duke Johnson to move up. At least one more high-round pick would be required for such a move in addition some to mid-rounders. It all depends on whether John Dorsey finds himself in a position to make a move and draft someone he really likes. Dorsey already has shown that he has zero attachment to players picked by the previous regime (with the exception of a select few). If Dorsey can move Johnson to draft an impact player from the start it is hard to imagine he would pass up that opportunity.

Cleveland’s Duke Johnson is drawing trade interest from multiple teams, but the Browns should keep the versatile running back.

It is being reported that the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles are interested in Duke Johnson. Interest in Johnson is understandable. Johnson has shown that he can be an electric playmaker in the NFL. The only issue with Johnson has been his injury history. While he has not missed games in his career, Johnson frequently exits games early with an injury of some sort. Even with all of this the Browns should keep Duke Johnson in Cleveland.

There have been times where Duke Johnson has left some to be desired when on the field. Either due to injuries or the coaching staff not using him properly. Although there are those moments when Johnson makes a dynamic play and it is apparent why Cleveland draft him several years ago. The issue is that Johnson has not lived up to his potential in Cleveland. But again, this could be due to misuse by the coaching staff. Most notably the two and a half year run of Hue Jackson.

The idea of a player like Duke Johnson may be greater than what the actual on-field product is. Sometimes that is the issue with someone like Johnson. Their skill-level and talent is greater than what happens on the field. That being said, the Cleveland Browns should not trade Duke Johnson.

Trading Duke Johnson creates a vacancy on the roster that will be hard to fill

The options for the Cleveland Browns to replace Duke Johnson are not great. There are lots of aging running backs who will cost significantly more than the team-friendly contract extension signed last year. While the team could draft a running back, they did just that last year with Nick Chubb. Adding another young running back may not be the wisest decision moving forward. The team needs a veteran in the backfield for others lean on when things get tough.

Unless John Dorsey can work some magic in regards to a trade of Duke Johnson or is able to find someone who is as productive, if not more productive a trade of the versatile running back should not happen. Especially considering the fact that if a trade rumor springs up about a player on the roster and multiple teams are interested, it may be because that player is good and a trade should be reconsidered.

At the end of the day it will be easier to better utilize Duke Johnson rather than replace him. That is what the Cleveland Browns need to remember this offseason.

The deicison to sign Kareem Hunt to an already full backfield makes the future of Duke Johnson in a Cleveland Browns uniform uncertain.

It is not just the signing of Kareem Hunt that causes issues. Hunt may be suspended for a part of the season that will leave Duke Johnson with many opportunities before his return to the field. It is the comments from John Dorsey that make his future in Cleveland rather uncertain.

“I don’t think it makes him expendable yet.”

John Dorsey on Duke Johnson during Monday’s press conference

It is that phrase in particular which calls into question Duke Johnson’s future. Most notably the use of the word yet. Yet implies that there will be a time in the future that Johnson will become expendable. Of course there are several caveats to this potential expandability.

Kareem Hunt is cleared to play and plays well

This is the first and most obvious. If the NFL clears Kareem Hunt to play and he plays well that certainly points in the direction of Duke Johnson being expendable. Hunt is capable of doing everything that Johnson can and he can do it better. Hunt could play just well enough that Johnson could end up being part of a trade, but that will be covered later.

Duke Johnson’s injury history

Duke Johnson is notorious for suffering in game injuries which limit his on field production. Johnson will make an outstanding play which gives the Browns offense momentum and ends up on the sideline with an injury of some sort. While Johnson is yet to miss game in his career, there is always that chance he will exit a game and not return due to injury. Relying on someone who seemingly is always injured is not the best tactic.

A potential position change?

This is a particular topic which has been discussed ad nauseam. Potentially transitioning Duke Johnson to a wide receiver. More specifically a slot receiver. While he would not be a true receiver, he could be used in the passing game to exploit mismatches. Johnson is physically larger than most defensive backs and faster than most linebackers. Johnson possesses the elusiveness to play the position and could make defending the Cleveland Browns passing attack an absolute nightmare.

A trade on the horizon?

This is based off of John Dorsey’s comments mentioned earlier and if Kareem Hunt plays well. There is a general consensus that Duke Johnson has not been used correctly during his time in Cleveland. Whether it is not being used enough or simply running the wrong plays, Johnson’s tenure in Cleveland has not been without scrutiny.

Other teams in the NFL are aware of Duke Johnson’s talent and may be interested in acquiring his services. This would be with the hopes that they can finally get the most out of the former Miami Hurricane. Dorsey’s comments have opened the door for trade rumors and other GM’s would be wise to start making calls now.

This could be much ado about nothing

Again this goes back to Dorsey’s comments before the use of the word yet. Also this factors in the fact that Kareem Hunt may be missing quite a bit of time this season, if he plays at all. Hunt may not even be active before the trade deadline which could make the prospect of trading Duke Johnson less attractive.

Cleveland could also be looking into having multiple running backs on the roster capable of making plays at any given moment. This would point towards keeping Duke Johnson and not trading him elsewhere.

At this moment in time Duke Johnson is a running back for the Cleveland Browns. Whether that changes or not in the future remains to be seen. However this will add some intrigue as the team prepares for next season.

So far this season Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson has been underwhelming. This needs to change and soon.

The Cleveland Browns have played their fourth game of the season and Duke Johnson’s presence in the offense is incredibly small. In Sunday’s loss to Oakland Johnson carried the ball twice for 11 yards and caught four passes on six targets for 45 yards. Johnson also ran in a two-point conversion attempt. While this week has been Johnson’s best game of the season, it is not saying that much.

Part of the reason for Johnson’s lack of productivity this year is definitely in part due to the presences of Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb. Hyde is the bell cow of the Browns offense and Chubb had a breakout performance Sunday, rushing for over 100 yards and two touchdowns on three carries. This could lead to even less carries for Johnson. He is not exactly rushing a whole lot this season as he is averaging three rushes per game.  With Chubb most likely having a more prominent role in the offense it brings forth a question.

Just what will the Browns do with Duke Johnson?

Through four games Johnson has 12 rushes for 40 yards and nine receptions for 84 yards. At this current rate Johnson is on pace for the worst season of his career. It is obvious that Cleveland does not want to use Johnson in the running game which is why a conversion to receiver may be in order.

Running a successful offense in the NFL is all about creating and exploiting mismatches. Johnson as a receiver is a huge mismatch. He is fast enough to play the position and the way his body is built will prevent him from being bullied by defensive backs. Johnson as a receiver would also help other pass catchers on the field get favorable matchups.

Cleveland has experimented with this before, famously using Johnson as a receiver in 2017’s Week 1 loss to Pittsburgh. While the outing did not produce eye popping numbers (only two catches for 20 yards) it opened up the field for others to make plays. Johnson being out wide kept the Pittsburgh defense honest and allowed others to put together a respectable performance for themselves.

Sure this will take a bit of an adjustment for everyone involved. Johnson is a running back but is better catching the ball out of the backfield rather than running in-between the tackles. What this really does is allow Cleveland to get the most out of Johnson, something that really has not happened yet. So far into his young career, the idea of Duke Johnson is greater than actual on field production.

Will the Browns actually convert Duke Johnson to wide receiver?

Probably not. Johnson is too dangerous in the passing game as a running back that it pays to have him line up in the backfield. However if the Browns truly want to get the most out of Johnson, they should wise up and at least have him line up as a receiver more often. Even if it is not a full conversion to receiver. Johnson is so dangerous as a receiver that it needs to happen. His skill set out wide will bring the Browns offense to the next level and will hopefully lead to more wins in the future.