Duke Johnson Changing Agents Could Mean His Browns Days Are Numbered
By James.r
It's already been publicized that Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson Jr. wants to part ways with the team after an influx of backfield talent in the last two years. Now, it appears as though he's making the business decisions necessary to expedite that process.
Johnson hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent, a man who's already helped a number of former Browns skip town.
Browns’ RB Duke Johnson signed today with a new agent, @RosenhausSports, per source. Johnson still is expected to seek a trade; keep in mind, Rosenhaus helped facilitate a trade for the Browns and his client, Emmanuel Ogbah, and got Breshad Perriman out of his deal in Cleveland.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 11, 2019
It makes sense that Johnson wants out of the organization that drafted him in 2015. He's never been the Browns premier back, but he's a talented player. And between Nick Chubb's success last season and the addition of Kareem Hunt in February, Johnson would likely see his touches dip significantly in Cleveland.
The former third-round pick has been one of the league's most valuable pass-catchers out of the backfield since entering the league, a trait that in today's NFL is paramount for second-tier running backs.
Johnson has accrued 235 catches and 8 receiving touchdowns in his four seasons at an impressive clip of 9.2 yards per catch.
Duke Johnson finished the 2017 season with the third-highest receiving grade among RBs and *should* draft significant interest because of his impact in the passing game.https://t.co/GsKlQBgGYw pic.twitter.com/Yxc3U8gSsQ
— PFF (@PFF) July 11, 2019
The Browns could get a solid return for the 25-year-old, and between his desire to be traded and their depth at the position there's no reason to expect that Duke Johnson won't be in a new uniform on opening day.