After eight years in the NFL, playing for five different teams, Duke Johnson has established himself as one of the league’s top receiving backs in recent memory. However, at 30 years old, Johnson has decided to retire, announcing his decision on Instagram.
Johnson began his football journey at the University of Miami, where he had an outstanding career. Despite only playing for three seasons, he left as the Hurricanes’ all-time leading rusher, surpassing the likes of Chuck Foreman, Ottis Anderson, and others. His impressive college performance led him to declare for the NFL draft after his junior year.
Selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2015 draft, Johnson quickly became a key player for Cleveland. While sharing starting duties with Isaiah Crowell, Johnson showcased his versatility as both a runner and receiver. Despite being overshadowed by other running backs, Johnson’s receiving skills were unmatched, earning him a contract extension with the Browns.
In 2018, the emergence of Nick Chubb and Carlos Hyde reduced Johnson’s role in Cleveland, leading to his trade to the Texans. Although he continued to contribute, the acquisition of David Johnson further limited Duke’s opportunities. Eventually, he was released by the Texans.
During his final two years in the NFL, Johnson saw reduced playing time, bouncing between practice squads and short stints with different teams. Despite never being a primary running back, Johnson’s receiving abilities kept him valuable throughout his career. He finishes his NFL journey with 2,265 rushing yards and 2,870 receiving yards, leaving a mark as one of the league’s most reliable pass-catching backs.
