Miami football alum Duke Johnson gets contract extension from Browns
Miami football alum Duke Johnson has received a contract extension from the Cleveland Browns. The Miami Hurricanes all-time leading rusher signed a three-year, $15.6 extension. The contract guarantees $7.74 million through the 2022 season.
Johnson led the Browns with 1,041 yards from scrimmage in 2017 and scored seven touchdowns. The extension was reported earlier this week for the Miami football program’s all-time leading rusher.
The Browns became only the second team in NFL history to complete a season 0-16 last year. That came after a 1-15 2016 season. It was the two worst seasons back to back in league history as well. The 2008 Detroit Lions also finished 0-16.
Johnson has become one of the NFL’s most versatile performers and best receivers out of the backfield in just three seasons in the league. Johnson was 19th in the NFL with 74 receptions in 2017. That was fourth best among running backs. His 693 receiving yards were third among running backs.
Johnson set career highs in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2017. He also finished last season with 348 yards rushing and a career-high four TDs on the ground.
Johnson has a chance to be a part of what could become a good Browns offense in the future. Cleveland upgraded at quarterback significantly in the offseason. They traded for Tyrod Taylor from Buffalo and drafted Baker Mayfield from Oklahoma.
The Browns traded last year starting quarterback DeShon Kizer to Green Bay and did not resign backups, Kevin Hogan or Cody Kessler. Taylor is expected to take better care of the ball than the Browns quarterbacks did last season.
Cleveland threw 15 touchdown passes and 28 interceptions in 2017. That compares to 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions for the opposition.
The Browns also acquired Jarvis Landry from the Dolphins in the offseason. Another pair of Browns players South Florida sports fans are familiar with are former Miami Hurricanes, tight end David Njoku and defensive end Chad Thomas.
Njoku was the Browns first round pick in 2017 and Thomas was selected by Cleveland in the third round this season. Johnson spoke about the upgrade in talent the Browns have acquired in the offseason to SiriusXM Radio this week.
"“I truly believe if we can stay healthy and commit and follow our quarterback Tyrod [Taylor], and going into game one, I really believe this is a different look and different team…I’ve been part of one win in the last two seasons. This is the time of year when everyone likes to say ‘we look better, we’re different’ but I can honestly say that it should be different.”"
Johnson will almost definitely be the third-down running back going forward. The exceptions to that would be in the two-minute offense and second down and long.
Live Feed
Dawg Pound Daily
The Browns signed running back Carlos Hyde from San Francisco and drafted Nick Chubb from Georgia in the second-round. Cleveland has had arguably the biggest talent upgrade in the NFL during the offseason.
Johnson discussed the potential he sees the Browns offense as having going forward.
"“We’re excited because we see the potential…We see the talent that we have and things we can do come this season if we just stick to it, everyone stays healthy.We see the things that Tyrod was able to do in Buffalo and we see what Jarvis [Landry] has done since he’s been in the league so we’re just excited for bringing guys on this offense that can help us make plays and score more points and win more games.”"
Canes Warning’s Cleveland Browns’ partner site Dawg Pound Daily expects the majority of the backfield work early in the season to go to Hyde and the Duke.
Next: Is Miami football alum Calais Campbell NFL's Kevin Durant?
That would give Chubb a chance to sit, learn and watch before he is expected to carry a heavier load. The dynamics of those three in the same backfield going forward should be interesting.