The Cleveland Browns have had quite the hectic offseason but they’ve now shored up their backfield by re-signing one of their veteran running backs.
The Browns and running back D’Ernest Johnson agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth up to $2.4 million with more than $900,000 in guarantees, according to Ian Rapoport.
The #Browns and RB D’Ernest Johnson agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $2,433,000 — with more than $900,000 in guaranteed money. The deal was negotiated by @DrewJRosenhaus and @NFLrecord.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2022
Rapoport had previously reported that the Browns had planned to tender Johnson, a restricted free agent, at the right of first refusal. That gave him an opportunity to consider other teams on the open market first. Johnson did but decided that he wanted to return to Cleveland.
After a brief tryout with the New Orleans Saints and a stint with the AAF’s Orlando Apollos, Johnson parlayed that into a deal with the Browns in 2019. In three seasons with the team, he’s appeared in 42 games garnering 721 yards and three touchdowns.
It’s been tough for Johnson to get too many touches behind the duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but injuries opened up opportunities for him in 2021. The 26-year-old had three games last season in which he received 20 touches and he averaged 152.6 total yards and scored two touchdowns in them.
Johnson shared his appreciation for the new contract and the chance to prove himself worthy of a bigger one next year with a simple tweet on Sunday.
Blessed 🙏🏾
— D'Ernest Johnson (@DernestJohnson2) June 5, 2022
