"We want people who want to be here" – ProFootballTalk

AP

The Browns have a strong and clear message that everyone can hear. Except offensive midfielder Duke Johnson.

"I'm just going to shoot you," coach Freddie Kitchens told reporters on Tuesday of defensive tackle Gerald McCoy's decision to sign with the Panthers. "We want people who want to be here. We want people who want to be here for the right reasons. Gerald made the best decision that, in his opinion, was best for him and his family. I wish Gerald nothing but the best. If there is a reservation, we do not want anyone to be here. We do not want any reservations about trying to convince someone to come here. What we are about to do is not for everyone. What we will try to do is not for everyone. It will take a lot of work and then we will see where we are. That's all. "

Well. Just. Sensitive. So, if that's what you feel, Freddie, why do not you trade Duke Johnson?

"He wants to be traded, you know," Kitchens said. "I want to win the lottery, agree? So, it does not matter. It's a Cleveland Brown. He is under contract. It will be used to the best of its abilities and benefits for the team. And that's what we will do. "

So we want people who want to be here, provided that they decide they want to be here before signing a contract. If they change their mind afterwards, so be it.

So there's an obvious conflict in the message, as illustrated by Kitchens' comments and amplified by Baker Mayfield's message, "You can get out of the way or join us" as early as Tuesday. Duke Johnson wants to move aside and the team will not let him.