On Sunday, after eight NFL seasons, veteran running back Duke Johnson announced his decision to retire on a social media post.
Duke Johnson announces his retirement. https://t.co/dbjME2hpij
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 5, 2024
30-year-old Johnson wrote in an IG post,
“I want to thank each team for giving me the chance to play and represent your organization and all the fans that supported me through the highs and lows. Thanks to all my vets who were able to show me the ropes free of charge and all my little bros who trusted me to be that veteran that you can depend on, that really meant a lot to me.”
He was a former third-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft by the Browns after becoming the all-time leading rusher for the Miami Hurricanes.
He ran 299 times for 1,286 yards and five touchdowns with the Browns, and also picked up 235 catches for 2,170 yards and eight scores.
Johnson spent over four seasons in Cleveland and signed a three-year contract extension in 2018 but was traded to the Houston Texans ahead of the 2019 season.
The veteran running back, before releasing by the Texans in 2021, played for two seasons and was added to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad in 2022. Later in the same season, he joined his hometown Miami Dolphins and in 2022 he played his NFL games with the Buffalo Bills.
He finished his NFL career with 2,265 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground to go along with an average of 4.3 yards per attempt.
Johnson captioned in his Instagram post,
“I’m officially retiring from the NFL. I hope I left a greater impression on y’all that’s bigger than football.”
