The Cleveland Browns have made it abundantly clear that they have no intention of honoring Duke Johnson's trade request any time soon. Fortunately for the veteran running back, then, he's at least poised to have a significant role in his team's potentially devastating offensive attack while he remains in Cleveland.

During an interview with NFL Network on Wednesday, Browns general manager John Dorsey stressed that Johnson is a valued member of the Cleveland organization, in part due to the “big plans” first-year coach Freddie Kitchens has for him.

“Duke is a valuable member of this organization moving forward,” Dorsey said, per Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network. “Freddie (Kitchens) has big plans for him.”

Johnson requested a trade from the Browns in early April. Management has rebuffed his desire from the very beginning, content to let the offseason play out despite his growing discontent with the team.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported earlier this week that Cleveland won't seriously consider moving Johnson until midseason, prioritizing depth before offseason signee Kareem Hunt returns from suspension. Hunt is suspended for the first eight games of the regular season after video surfaced last November of him assaulting a woman at a Cleveland hotel in February 2018. The Kansas City Chiefs released the former Pro Bowler hours after TMZ first released the footage.

A four-year veteran, Johnson has been one of the Browns’ most consistent playmakers throughout his career, but notched personal-lows in rushes and catches last season as rookie Nick Chubb asserted himself as one of the most dynamic young backs in football. Johnson, 25, had 40 carries for 201 yards in addition to 47 catches for 429 yards and three touchdowns in 2018.