According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Cleveland Browns and running back D’Ernest Johnson have come to terms on a one-year contract for up to $2.4 million with more than $900,000 in guarantees. According to Rapoport, the Browns planned to tender Johnson, who was a restricted free agent at the time, at the right of first refusal, giving him the opportunity to look at other clubs on the open market.
Following a successful time in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football, Johnson finally chose to return to the organization that hired him in 2019. Despite spending three complete seasons on the Browns’ active roster, Johnson was frequently buried behind the productive combo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, and did not get significant playing time until injuries forced him into action at various stages during the 2021 season.
Johnson averaged 152.6 total yards and two touchdowns in three games in which he had at least 20 touches. That kind of output explains Cleveland’s willingness to re-sign Johnson despite having already spent a significant amount of money on Chubb and Hunt. The Browns now have an almost-perfect backfield as a result of this signing. The Browns might have a better season than projected this year.
