Both Johnson and Ogbah were no-shows for the team’s voluntary offseason workout program, which kicked off Monday morning.
Ogbah, selected in the second round – No. 32 overall – of the 2016 NFL Draft became expendable following the blockbuster trade with the New York Giants that netted receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon.
The signing of Kareem Hunt in February seemed to foretell Johnson’s impending departure despite multiple assertions from general manager John Dorsey and head coach Freddie Kitchens the last six-plus weeks that he was not on the trading block.
Johnson has asked to be traded according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.
“I do not know. You would have to ask Duke that,” Kitchens said when asked if Hunt’s addition is keeping Johnson away. “I am not speaking for Duke. Duke chose not to be here, and he has the ability to decide that. It is all voluntary.”
Over four seasons with the Browns, Johnson has rushed for 1,286 yards and five touchdowns as well as caught 235 passes for 2,170 yards and eight touchdowns while appearing in 64 games. He has averaged 4.3 yards per carry and 9.2 yards per catch.
Dorsey filled a need at safety by acquiring Murray after sending Jabrill Peppers, a 2017 first-round pick, in that same trade to New York. Derrick Kindred was also waived Monday.
Murray was drafted by Dorsey and the Chiefs in the fourth round – No. 106 overall – of the 2016 draft. He’s started 11 of the 45 games he’s appeared in, nine of them coming in 2018 where he had an interception, two passes defensed and 55 tackles.
Ogbah missed six games in 2017 due to a broken foot that ended his season early and in 2018 he sat out two games because of an ankle injury.
In 40 games – all of them starts, Ogbah totaled 122 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 17 pass breakups to go with two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.
The Ogbah trade leaves just six of 24 total draft picks made by former EVP Sashi Brown from 2016-17 remaining on the roster.