Agent, not Davis, looks into trading WR Johnson

Published 12:00 am Saturday, August 17, 2002

BEREA -- Kevin Johnson's future with the Cleveland Browns is in question again.

The Browns and Tom Condon, the agent for their top wide receiver, have been unable to agree on a contract extension, and Condon is contacting other teams about the possibility of a trade, according to Johnson.

Coach Butch Davis said the Browns are trying to sign Johnson, not trade him.

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''I know that we have made a very significant financial offer,'' Davis said Thursday. ''Hopefully, he'll sign it. And if not, then hopefully he'll have a great year and at the end of the year we'll be one of the teams bidding for his services.''

Johnson's contract expires at the end of the season. He reportedly is seeking a three-year extension worth $14.5 million with a $5 million signing bonus.

The four-year pro and his agent recently turned down a three-year, $10 million offer from the Browns.

During last season's training camp, the Browns began offering up Johnson to various NFL teams. It surprised him.

''Obviously what happened a year ago at this time has had an effect. That (led) to my discouragement a little bit. You start to see other sides, and not just the football side of things,'' Johnson said Thursday.

''I guess I was just a young, dumb player who thought he would just come in here and play football.''

But he added money's not his primary concern, saying ''I just want to feel wanted.''

Completing a trade at the end of training camp might not be easy. Many teams either have their rosters set or do not have the salary-cap room to offer Johnson a new contract. The Browns also could reject a trade offer.

Johnson was the team's second-round draft pick in 1999 and has been the favorite target of quarterback Tim Couch. In three years, he's had 207 catches for 2,752 yards and 17 touchdowns. Last year, he led the team with 84 catches for 1,097 yards and nine touchdowns.

Johnson said he is not letting contract uncertainty affect his play.

''As long as I'm here, I feel I'm going to play well,'' he said. ''Wherever I'm at, I'm going to play well.''

He said he would prefer to stay in Cleveland but will go elsewhere if he can't reach a deal with the Browns.

''I want to know I'm part of the future, considering what happened last year at this time,'' Johnson said. ''I have one year left on my deal. Am I going to be here? I don't know. Am I going to be somewhere else? I don't know.'' The Associated Press