Duke Johnson Announces Retirement After Eight NFL Seasons

The 30-year-old played for the Browns, Texans, Dolphins and Bills over eight years in the league.

Miami Dolphins running back Duke Johnson walks off the field after a game in 2021. / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Johnson is officially hanging up the cleats.

The 30-year-old running back announced his retirement from the NFL on social media Sunday to close out an eight-year career.

"I’m officially retiring from the NFL," Johnson wrote in an Instagram post. "I hope I left a greater impression on y’all that’s bigger than football."

Johnson, who grew up in South Florida, became the Miami Hurricanes' all-time leading rusher by racking up 3,519 yards on 526 carries over three seasons from 2012 to '14. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round (No. 77 pick) of the 2015 NFL draft.

Johnson played four years with the Browns, thriving as a duo-threat running back. Over four seasons in Cleveland, he tallied 1,286 rushing yards and 2,170 receiving yards on 534 total touches. He signed a three-year contract extension in 2018 but was traded to the Houston Texans ahead of the 2019 season.

The running back played two seasons for the Texans and was released in 2021. He spent time on the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad in 2021 before landing with the hometown Miami Dolphins later that season. Johnson played the final game of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills in 2022.