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The Cleveland Browns spent much of the offseason restructuring their roster with the hope of bouncing back in a major way from a disappointing 0-16 campaign this past year.
Despite adding a couple pieces to the puzzle in the backfield, the Browns have agreed to a three-year, $15.6 million extension with veteran running back Duke Johnson, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.
Terms: The #Browns are signing RB Duke Johnson to a 3-year contract extension worth $15.6M, source said. He gets a $5M signing bonus.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 7, 2018
Johnson was set to enter the final year of his four-year, $3.1 million rookie deal in the 2018 season without a new contract in place beyond that. There was no previous hint of a discussion between the two sides regarding a long-term extension to keep him in place beyond 2018.
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The 24-year-old has quickly proven to be a valuable asset in the offense out of the backfield, with the majority of his work coming in the passing game. He is coming off a highly productive 2017 season where he set career highs with 74 receptions for 693 receiving yards along with three touchdowns. His effectiveness as a receiving back likely made this an easy decision given what he brings to the table.
It is an entirely different element compared to what Carlos Hyde and rookie Nick Chubb should provide the offense next season. Johnson is a proven asset that will likely remain effective despite what could be a notable decrease in his role in the game plan due to the plethora of talent at the running back position. The Browns have a stable of options in the backfield over the next several years that should provide much balance to a running game that has lacked it for quite some time.
More than anything else, Cleveland may finally be putting together a team that could break through all the disappointment of their predecessors.
