Berea, OH (92.3 The Fan) – Duke Johnson expects to remain a Cleveland Brown for years to come.
Johnson is entering his fourth NFL season and he confirmed Wednesday that talks with the Browns on a contract extension are ongoing.
“I’m very optimistic,” Johnson said. “I believe that not only the staff, but the front office, wants me here. It’s just about both sides coming to an agreement.”
Johnson would like to see a deal get done before the season.
“That’s ideal,” Johnson said. “If the season comes and a deal still isn’t done, I’m still under contract so there’s not really much I can do other than go out there and perform.”
Johnson’s explosive versatility has made him one of few players the team is ready to commit to, but he’s not worried about the negotiations being a distraction during the season if a deal isn’t reached.
“I’ve dealt with more distractions than this,” Johnson said. “I think if it’s not done before Game 1, I think we’ll still try if both sides are still optimistic and still want to get it done.”
Since the Browns selected Johnson in the third round – No. 77 overall – of the 2015 NFL Draft, he’s averaged 4.2 yards per carry, ran for 1,085 yards and caught 188 passes for 1,741 yards while scoring 10 touchdowns combined – 5 on the ground and 5 receiving.
In his first 3 seasons, Johnson split time with Isaiah Crowell in the backfield, but the running backs room got an overhaul this offseason.
Crowell signed as a free agent with the New York Jets, the Browns signed Carlos Hyde as a free agent from the 49ers and they also drafted Nick Chubb out of Georgia with the 35th pick in the NFL Draft.
“They remade the whole team for the most part,” Johnson said.
