Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield calls out Duke Johnson
By Dan Justik
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield called out running back Duke Johnson, who has been away from the team after requesting a trade.
The Cleveland Browns saw the first of running back Duke Johnson this offseason on Tuesday, but quarterback Baker Mayfield did not seem to be satisfied with Johnson’s arrival.
When Mayfield met with the media on Tuesday, he showed his dissatisfaction about how Johnson has handled his trade request this offseason, but said the situation will not be awkward for the locker room.
Mayfield’s biggest concern about the situation is if Johnson will be fully committed to the Browns as he waits to see if he will end up being traded. Mayfield also said “you’re either on this train or you’re not” – via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
#Browns QB Baker Mayfield's full answer on Duke Johnson situation: "It's not awkward. No. It's self-inflicted. It is what it is. That's not awkward for anybody else in this building. He's got to do his job. He said he's a professional, I hope he does his job." https://t.co/YANq7CHSTl
— Keith Britton (@KeithBritton86) June 4, 2019
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One of the biggest points of emphasis for the Browns this offseason has been making sure that every player is bought into what the organization is doing. General manager John Dorsey and Freddie Kitchens have made that point known all offseason, but Mayfield has also echoed those thoughts.
By the way Mayfield responded to the situation, it seems that he would have been fine with Johnson’s trade request as long as Johnson was with the team for parts of the offseason program. Because Tuesday was Johnson’s first appearance at the team’s facility for most of the offseason, Mayfield may be concerned that Johnson will not put his best effort into the Browns and overall help the team.
Johnson initially requested a trade in early April, but the Browns have obviously not been satisfied with any offer they have received. On Tuesday, Johnson reiterated to the media that he still wants to be traded, despite showing up to the team’s mandatory minicamp.
Johnson’s absence has allowed second-year running back Dontrell Hilliard to have increased reps with the offense. And the early reviews of Hilliard during OTA’s were positive, as most of the offensive coaching staff had only good things to say about the 24-year-old.
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It remains to be seen how the Johnson situation will play out the rest of the offseason. If the Browns front office also has the same concerns Mayfield has about if Johnson will do his job while still with the team, their motivations to move the running back may increase.