The disgruntled running back was traded to the Houston Texans Thursday for an undisclosed 2020 draft pick. NFL Network reported Cleveland will receive a fourth-round selection that could become a third rounder if Johnson is active for 10 games.
In four seasons with the Browns Johnson appeared in every game.
“It is hard to let good football players go, but we did what was best for the organization and the Cleveland Browns,” head coach Freddie Kitchens said. “What John [Dorsey] did felt like what we needed to do. It truly did. Duke was drafted in the third round so it was a good opportunity to help us out down the road in the future. We wish Duke nothing but the best. Well wishes.”
Johnson, who had been sitting out training camp with a hamstring injury, said that he requested a trade in the spring after learning that general manager John Dorsey had entertained dealing him after signing Kareem Hunt in February.
Kitchens defended Johnson’s absence from practice.
“Do not question Duke’s professionalism. Duke had a pulled hamstring,” Kitchens said. “As an organization, you do not want him come back on a pulled hamstring and he pulls it again he is out for a month. We were trying to get him ready for the season. We were not trying to get him ready to play tonight.”
During the June minicamp Johnson made it clear he still wanted to be traded because he felt the organization was disloyal to him and there was nothing that could repair the relationship between the two sides.
Johnson, who was signed to a three-year, $15 million contract extension last year, switched agents prior to camp, hiring super-agent Drew Rosenhaus, who spoke multiple times with Dorsey about Johnson’s request over the past two weeks.
“That is obviously not my call. We talked about it,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said. “They wanted people who wanted to be there, and Duke was there. Unfortunately, he got hurt and then the decision was made to trade him away. We have to have the next man up mentality so tonight you saw a lot of Dontrell Hilliard. We are going to be counting on guys that continue to step up and see who can fill the void because Duke was obviously a huge part of our offense last year.”
Over four seasons, Johnson has amassed 3,456 combined yards from scrimmage, averaged 4.3 yards per carry, 9.2 yards per reception and scored 13 touchdowns since being selected in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Browns.
Dontrell Hilliard is expected to fill Johnson’s planned role as the No. 2 back behind Nick Chubb.
“I do like him to fill that role. Sure do,” Kitchens said.