“He’ll Make Them Pay Twice a Year” — Ex-Browns RB Joins AFC North Rival in Shocking Move

A former Cleveland Browns running back is returning to the AFC North, with D’Ernest Johnson inking a deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

Johnson went undrafted in 2018 but found a home with the Browns after a stint in the now-defunct AAF. He was mostly a depth player for the Browns but took on a more significant role in 2021. Johnson notched a career-high 100 carries for 534 yards and three touchdowns.

However, Johnson couldn’t capitalize on the success in his next campaign, barely getting on the field. He received just four carries in 2022 and signed with Jacksonville the next offseason.

Johnson logged just 251 yards and did not score a touchdown over two seasons with the Jaguars. He’ll be looking to climb the depth chart in Baltimore, which is headlined by five-time Pro Bowler Derrick Henry. The Ravens also have Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, Rasheen Ali, and Marcus Major in the mix.

Browns Sorting Out RB Room Following Nick Chubb Departure

The Browns reshaped their running back room this offseason, letting fan-favorite Nick Chubb walk in free agency. Chubb signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans, where he is expected to take on a significant role in the backfield.

Cleveland drafted Quinshon Judkins in the second round and added Dylan Sampson in the fourth to add some youth to their backfield. However, the team’s plans have hit a major snag, with Judkins facing domestic violence allegations. He’s currently the only unsigned rookie in the NFL.

The Browns were hoping that Judkins could be their “bell-cow” back. Now, there’s uncertainty about when Judkins could be in the mix.

“I’d say with Quinshon (Judkins) specifically, it’s to be determined,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said on a potential timeline for signing Judkins. “We are still gathering information. So, in terms of those decisions, signing, being at camp and everything like that, it’s probably too early to make any type of determination. So, as we gather information, we’ll have a better view on that.”

Berry said the team is taking a patient approach as Judkins’ legal situation unfolds. However, he didn’t completely rule out the possibility that the team lets Judkins walk before he signs a deal.

“I have learned in many of these off-field situations not to go too far into the future. We’ll deal with the day-to-day. You end up using a lot of mental energy in terms of hypotheticals and things of that nature,” Berry said. “We’ll focus on getting the information and then making the right decisions.”

Jerome Ford Back at Practice With Browns

With Judkins out, Jerome Ford and Sampson have taken on a significant chunk of the workload. Ford missed the start of camp with an undisclosed minor injury but is excited to be back in the mix and atop the depth chart.

“Most people look at it as we’re short on backs and we’re out there kind of tired, but our group, our coach, our team, we look at it as an opportunity for everybody else to get more reps, get better,” Ford said. “Dudes who usually wouldn’t get reps getting more reps, and that’s how we look at it, an opportunity.”

Ford has spent three seasons with the Browns, seeing significant action over the past two. He’s totaled 1,390 rushing yards and seven touchdowns during his time in Cleveland.

“He’s a guy that has the home run ability at any moment’s notice with his speed,” coach Kevin Stefanski said. “He’s gotten better over the course of his career. A bunch of different areas, including blitz pickup, the pass game, those type of things.

“He’s a guy that we’ve won with, that we played well with. So we have a lot of confidence in Jerome.”

Pierre Strong Jr., ex-UFL running back Toa Taua and undrafted rookie Ahmani Marshall are also in the mix for the Browns.