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Browns OC Was Frustrated When Vikings Signed Charles Johnson

By Adam Carlson

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Let’s be honest.  The Cleveland Browns were an absolute mess this year.  From the media circus surrounding rooking quarterback Johnny Manziel to the legal issues of wide receiver Josh Gordon, things just didn’t do anywhere near planned by the team’s coaches and management.  Slipping through the cracks of it all was wide receiver Charles Johnson.

Dec 7, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Charles Johnson (12) is tackled by New York Jets cornerback Marcus Williams (22) during the fourth quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Jets 30-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Charles Johnson was a bit of a surprise for the Vikings.  After running back Adrian Peterson was played on the Exempt/Commissioner’s Permission List, Minnesota took a chance on Johnson by claiming him from Cleveland’s practice squad.

According to an article from the Cleveland Plains Dealer, Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and other offensive coaches were disappointed when they lost Charles Johnson.  Here’s what they said in the article:

"“Among other things, Shanahan and other offensive coaches wanted the Browns to sign a veteran quarterback such as Matt Schaub for depth, hoped that the Browns would draft a wide receiver when Josh Gordon was suspended for marijuana use and were dismayed when the team let promising receiver Charles Johnson get away. The Vikings signed Johnson off the Browns practice squad on Sept. 20, and he emerged as a starting receiver in Minnesota.”"

Not surprisingly, Shanahan has recently requested to be relieved of his duties in Cleveland.  While there were much bigger issues for the team than the loss of Charles Johnson, it’s interesting to think that the Vikings may have had a part in the Browns losing their offensive coordinator.

Then again, maybe it was going to happen anyway.

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