The Cleveland Browns and running back D'Ernest Johnson have reportedly agreed a new one-year contract worth up to $2.4million, with more than $900,000 in guarantees.
Johnson has performed well in limited opportunities with the Browns, who are 19/2 to win the AFC Championship.
The 26-year-old was initially rejected by the NFL when he left college, going undrafted and then failing to make the New Orleans Saints' roster after attending their pre-season training camp.
But a successful stint in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football with the Orlando Apollos in 2019 drew the attention of the Browns, who gave him a second shot at making it to the top.
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Buried on the running back depth chart in his first two years in Cleveland, Johnson impressed when he got his opportunities in pre-season games and finally had a breakout campaign in 2021.
He made his first career start against the Denver Broncos in Week 7 when established rushing stars Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were both ruled out due to injury.
Johnson ran for 146 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown, and was named both Player of the Game and FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
In three games last year in which he received at least 20 touches, he averaged 152.6 total yards and scored two touchdowns, so it's no wonder the Browns wanted him back in Ohio.
But after tendering the restricted free agent in March in a move that enabled Johnson to check out what other teams were offering on the open market, Cleveland will be glad he chose to return.
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