Cleveland Browns: Duke Johnson situation has taken a twist

Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson has made it known he is not happy in Cleveland, but his situation has taken an odd twist.

For the past several weeks, it seemed like Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson was destined to be traded. And the 2019 NFL Draft seemed like it would be the prime time to move Johnson.

Johnson has been in an unstable situation with the Browns since last season. After signing a contract extension last offseason, Johnson saw his role greatly diminished during the 2018 season.

Then the Browns signed Kareem Hunt in February to pair with Nick Chubb, making Johnson the team’s third-string running back when Hunt returns from his eight-game suspension. Shortly after the Hunt signing, the Browns were reportedly shopping Johnson around the league.

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With several teams interested in adding Johnson, it seemed like a matter of time before he was traded out of Cleveland. And it became clear Johnson would welcome a trade when he skipped the team’s voluntary workouts and voluntary mini-camp in April. He also reportedly requested a trade.

Although it is clear Johnson does not want to be in Cleveland, the Browns decided to hold onto Johnson through the draft instead of trading him for a draft pick. Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens explained Saturday that Johnson has a future as a member of the Browns – via Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com.

"“Duke is under contract. I have said this for like a month now, I don’t know where all this trade talk started happening,” Browns coach Freddie Kitchens told reporters on Saturday. “People just assumed that we are going to trade him because we signed another good football player. Me, personally, I like good football players and I like as many of them as we can get.”"

Kitchens also told reporters that Johnson will have a vital role for the Browns in 2019. If the Browns decide to keep Johnson on the roster for 2019, he will likely have a role as a change-of-pace back to start the season during Hunt’s suspension.

Kitchens was also asked about Johnson’s trade request and the head coach gave a candid answer about his feelings towards the request.

"“At this present time, it is best for Duke Johnson to be a member of the Cleveland Browns and everybody feels that way. Him asking for a trade and stuff like that, it doesn’t matter to me,” Kitchens offered Saturday."

Just a few weeks ago, Johnson appeared to have no future with the Browns. But now that the NFL Draft has passed and Kitchens saying Johnson will have a vital role in the Browns offense, it seems like the running back could be on the roster come training camp.

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The Browns start mandatory training camp in early June, so Johnson still has time to figure out if he wants to be a member of the Cleveland Browns. Because as of right now, it seems more likely that he will not be traded in the immediate future.

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