Comfortable with his role and new contract, the fourth-year running back is optimistic about things
BEREA Browns running back Duke Johnson confessed to being relieved on the first day of mandatory minicamp for the team.
He should be. The 5-foot-9, 210-pound former University of Miami star likely doesn’t have to worry about his future after he recently signed a three-year contract extension worth $15.6 million, including $7.7 million in guaranteed money. The deal includes a $5 million signing bonus, according to reports.
Johnson’s average annual salary of $5.2 million ranks eighth among all NFL running backs, according to the contract tracking website Spotrac.com.
Johnson said Tuesday afternoon it was good to finally get the deal done.
"Kind of the day of, just speaking back and forth with my team and the Browns we came to something we thought was good for both sides moving forward," he said when asked when he learned it was completed.
He recognizes the Browns are showing him a commitment. Considering that General Manager John Dorsey didn’t draft him, that speaks volumes about Johnson, who is entering his fourth year in the NFL.
"That’s a good sign on my part," he said. "I mean I’ve been going out and each year doing my job, whatever that may be at the time, and just proving to the organization that I’m kind of a consistent guy that’s going to give you his all, game in and game out."
In his three years with the Browns, he’s carried the ball 259 times for 1,085 yards, for 4.2 yards per carry. He’s scored five rushing touchdowns. He’s caught 188 passes for 1,741 yards (9.3 yards per reception) and five TDs.
That’s what makes him so appealing in an offense run by Todd Haley, who the Browns brought in during the offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Haley runs a running back-friendly system. While Haley was with the Steelers, running back Le’Veon Bell set franchise records for catches in 2014 and broke the mark in 2017 with 85. The Browns offense appears tailor-made for Johnson’s skill set.
Last season was his best, with 82 carries for 348 yards (4.2 average) and a career-high four touchdowns, plus career bests of 74 catches, 693 yards and three receiving TDs.
"I like it all, to be honest with you. It’s a lot for me to have to learn," he said of the new system. "I have to learn multiple positions, a lot of different checks, so it’s a lot on my plate. I embrace it. I’m ready for the challenge. I’m ready to come back after these next three days and come back for training camp and show what I can do."
Right now, a sense of optimism emanates from Browns offensive players when asking about the new system. Wide receiver Josh Gordon said Tuesday he believes the team has the best receiving corps in the NFL if each player does his job. Johnson believes in the entirety of the offense, which ranked 24th overall in the league last season.
"I talk to my family, my brothers, all the time. On paper we have a solid team, a very good team on paper," he said. "But again, we have to come out and perform. Everyone has to be on the same page. Everyone has to know what we’re doing game in and game out. We just have to make sure we prepare like we want to win."
Johnson knows he has to be one of those players who steps up.
"I’m still trying to find that groove, but last year was definitely a good start," he said. "I’m just trying to figure out what I want to be in this league, what kind of player and moving forward, I think last year is something I can build on."