As Nick Chubb goes through ACL rehab, the Browns have Kareem Hunt unsigned. The team will still move to add some veteran insurance as ahead of Chubb’s seventh season.
They are signing D’Onta Foreman, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. Foreman has bounced around the league over the past three years, but the former third-round pick has remained a key backfield cog in that span. The former Titans, Panthers and Bears contributor is now coming to Cleveland. Foreman will rejoin ex-Panthers RBs coach Duce Staley in Cleveland.
This news comes not too long after it was believed the Browns were leaning against making a notable adjustment to their backfield. But the team has brought in two veteran pieces now. Last week, Cleveland added pass-down back and return specialist Nyheim Hines. Jerome Ford and 2023 trade acquisition Pierre Strong remain under contract, crowding Cleveland’s RB corps.
Out of the NFL for a stretch in the late 2010s, Foreman has taken a lead role in a few backfields since re-emerging. Derrick Henry‘s 2021 foot fracture led to the Titans eventually turning to Foreman as his replacement. The Panthers’ trade of Christian McCaffrey moved Foreman from little-used backup to regular starter. Foreman, 27, did not see the same usage with the Bears. But he started eight games, playing a regular role in a three-headed Chicago backfield.
Not much of a passing-down presence, the 235-pound back profiles as a Chubb backup plan. The Browns used Ford in that role alongside Hunt last season; the team ranked 12th in rushing, seeing Ford total 1,132 scrimmage yards. More competition appears on tap here, though the Browns ideally would have Foreman and Ford jockeying for RB2 work. Chubb has undergone two surgeries, but he and the Browns are expected to discuss an extension soon.
One season — at an $11.78MM base salary — remains on Chubb’s contract, which calls for a $15.8MM cap number. An extension would reduce that figure, but the Browns will presumably want assurances Chubb is on track to full recovery before authorizing such a deal. So far, the perennial Pro Bowler is on course to return. Though, the Browns feeling the need to add Foreman does make this situation one to monitor a bit more closely.
Foreman impressed in Tennessee and Charlotte, helping the Titans stay afloat en route to a No. 1 seed and then nearly pushing a Steve Wilks-led Panthers squad to an unlikely playoff berth. Foreman totaled five 100-yard rushing games as a Panther, despite seeing only 12 carries during McCaffrey’s half-season in Charlotte. He finished with 914 yards that year, which came off a 2021 season in which the Texas alum produced three 100-yard rushing days despite the Titans initially trying Adrian Peterson as their Henry replacement.
Foreman’s effectiveness as a fill-in has not brought much in the way of earnings, but he has continued to generate free agency interest. Accumulating just 29 carries from 2018-20, Foreman has just 552 totes in his career. He should remain fairly fresh as the Browns fortify their Chubb complementary contingent.
The 4Man
Glad to see Foreman getting out of CHI and trying to be a contributor on a contender. 7 seasons in the league and he only has 552 carries. He still has plenty of tread on the tires. He isn’t typically a 3-down back but he is a strong runner. I really like the guy for some reason, whenever he is put in a position to be the RB1 he moves the chains.
Foreman keeps proving himself and keeps getting overlooked. He was the best back in Carolina post-McCaffery, and was the best back in Chicago last year. He signs short contracts fir lis money, and does the dirty work inside. Injuries derailed the early part if his career, but ever since taking over for Henry in Tennessee, Foreman has done what we expected him to do coming out of Texas years ago. Humble guy, and never an issue off the field, it’s too bad that he’s gone this long without a long term home. If you need a power back inside, you could certainly do worse, especially at Foreman’s rates.
Practice squad fodder.
He’s not going to be on the practice squad dude