Duke Johnson’s agent change viewed as a ‘positive’ for Cleveland Browns
By Dan Justik
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson recently changed his representation, but the Browns view the change as a positive.
The Cleveland Browns’ saga with running back Duke Johnson this offseason seems to never end, with the most recent development being Johnson changing his representation.
Johnson hired Drew Rosenhaus as his new agent, who is known for doing whatever it takes to get whatever his client desires. In Johnson’s case, he is hoping to be traded to a new team where he will have a bigger role than in Cleveland.
Despite Rosenhaus usually being able to fulfill his client’s wishes, Terry Pluto of cleveland.com reported Sunday that the Browns view Johnson’s decision to hire Rosenhaus as his agent as a positive.
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"The decision by Duke Johnson to change agents to Drew Rosenhaus is considered a positive by the Browns. General Manager John Dorsey has known Rosenhaus for decades. He has negotiated several contracts with Rosenhaus Sports Representation.The Browns believe they can have more productive discussions with Rosenhaus as compared to Kristin Campbell, the previous agent for Johnson. – Pluto, Cleveland.com"
Dorsey’s history with Rosenhaus helped two former Browns find new teams earlier this offseason. After the Browns traded for Olivier Vernon, Rosenhaus helped former Browns defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah to get moved to the Kansas City Chiefs, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Schefter also reported Rosenhaus helped Breshad Perriman get out of the contract he signed this offseason after the Browns acquired Odell Beckham Jr.
If the Browns are able to have better communication with Rosenhaus than Johnson’s previous agent, perhaps there is a better chance that Johnson will be more willing to stay with the Browns for at least the start of the regular season. This will allow the Browns to have a reliable veteran running back on the depth chart until Kareem Hunt returns from his eight-game suspension.
The Browns have also been adamant this offseason that despite Johnson requesting to be traded, he is under contract and they plan on giving him a prominent role in the 2019 offense. It has become fairly obvious the Browns are not going to bow down to a player’s demand as it could set a bad precedent.
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With training camp only days away, Johnson could be a Cleveland Brown longer than he was hoping, unless he and Rosenhaus plan on holding out until a trade can be ironed out. But if Dorsey and Rosenhaus have a good working relationship, the situation may not encounter many more problems until a resolution is worked out.