5 Bold predictions in Week 18 as Cleveland Browns face Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns Bold prediction No. 4: D’Ernest Johnson will run for over 100 yards and earn a new contract with the team

D’Ernest Johnson‘s story with the team should be one of the few “feel good” stories this year. Every moment Johnson has been on the field, good things have followed. The Browns have two outstanding running backs on the team in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

Would the team consider signing Johnson to a new contract next season even with these two other backs in the fold?

Hunt signed with the team an extended contract a while back and he won’t be a free agent until 2023. He will be due $6.25 million next season, which includes a $1.5 million bonus if he makes the final roster in 2022. Would the Browns part ways with Hunt?

If they determine Johnson would be a more reasonable and less costly running back to the team then maybe the idea of Hunt leaving the team wouldn’t be that extreme. Hunt and Chubb haven’t been used much together on the field over their careers. Would the team rather part with one of them and move in a different direction?

Regardless, of that thought, Johnson will get another moment to shine on Sunday. He’s had several games this year where he’s stepped in and played big.

Under the lights on a Thursday night in a game against the Denver Broncos, where he also took handoffs from the team’s backup quarterback Case Keenum, he stole the evening by rumbling for 146 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown. The Browns run game didn’t miss a beat.

I expect the team to give Johnson a good look in this last game. Will it be enough to bring him back next season?