Cleveland Columnist Claims Baker Mayfield-Duke Johnson Beef is Overblown

Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson recently demanded a trade from the organization, wanting to escape the shadows of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt in the now crowded Browns backfield.

While public trade requests commonly cause distractions within franchises, team quarterback Baker Mayfield refuses to let that be the case, and is fully prepared to leave his former teammate behind if he doesn't buy into their system as conveyed in the following quote:

"If we have guys that want to be here, they’ll show that, they’ll voice that. Obviously he’s going to handle his stuff how he wants, but you’re either on this train or you’re not, it’s moving. You can get out of the way or you can join us. So it is what it is."

- Baker Mayfield

However, one Cleveland reporter believes that the tension thought to exist between these two Browns players was simply overplayed by the media.

There is a chance he is right. The reigning PFWA NFL Rookie of the Year could be making these statements to cement himself as a leader for the players who actually want to represent Cleveland, while maintaining a positive relationship with Duke Johnson outside of the public eye.

However, this likely isn't the case.

This is Mayfield's team, so it makes sense he would take personal offense to a player who does not want to play for the organization, especially from a guy like Johnson who has been a member of the Browns since the start of his career in 2015.

Whether Johnson's demands are met or not, Mayfield refuses to let this side drama distract his teammates who are committed to winning football games.