Kareem Hunt

Commanders Looking Into RB Kareem Hunt

June 16th, 2023 at 9:34am CST by Sam Robinson

Despite coming up in steady trade rumors ahead of last year’s deadline, Kareem Hunt has not been closely tied to teams during a three-month free agency stay. That has since changed.

The Commanders are looking into the former rushing champion, per CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson. Washington has made preliminary inquiries into Hunt, who recently played out his second Browns contract (Twitter link).

A clear Commanders-Hunt connection exists, with new OC Eric Bieniemy having been the former third-rounder’s position coach when the Chiefs drafted him in 2017. Prior to spending five seasons as Kansas City’s OC, Bieniemy oversaw Hunt’s rookie-year surge as RBs coach, helping him to the ’17 rushing title. Hunt, who won that crown with 1,327 yards, soared to a stronger start in 2018; his career path changed after a video showed him assaulting a woman at a Cleveland hotel.

While Hunt did not match his Chiefs showing with the Browns, he formed one of the league’s top backfield duos of this era by playing alongside Nick Chubb. Following Hunt’s eight-game suspension to start the 2019 season, Hunt worked as a 1-B option behind Cleveland’s perennial Pro Bowl starter. The Browns used Hunt more in the passing game, though he only topped 500 rushing yards in one of his Cleveland seasons (2020, with 841).

Prior to that 2020 season, the Browns gave Hunt a two-year, $13MM deal. That deal checked in much lower than Chubb’s (three years, $36.6MM) and Hunt’s top peers from the 2017 draft class. With the likes of James Conner, Leonard Fournette and Chase Edmonds passing Hunt in running back AAV, the then-Browns back requested a trade last year. As they looked to retain talent around Deshaun Watson, the Browns held off on dealing Hunt. The Eagles and Jets checked on the veteran at the deadline, but the Browns again held onto their talented backup.

Washington returns its Brian Robinson–Antonio Gibson backfield tandem, with the latter going into a contract year. Ron Rivera and GM Martin Mayhew are believed to be prioritizing a power run game, with rumblings of disagreements on this front with since-ousted OC Scott Turner coming out in January. The Commanders already ranked fourth in carries last season (538), but with the team now preparing to give the untested Sam Howell a legitimate starter opportunity, providing backfield support would make sense. The team did, however, use a sixth-round pick on a back (Kentucky’s Chris Rodriguez).

At this juncture, Hunt will have a hard time even matching that $6.5MM-AAV accord he landed in Cleveland. The RB market did not produce a single $6.5MM-per-year deal this offseason, and teams’ free agency budgets are obviously depleted by June. Hunt also averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last season — by far a career-worst mark. Neither Robinson nor Gibson topped 4.0 per tote, either, but Hunt’s disappointing contract year undoubtedly led to teams looking elsewhere earlier this offseason.

Browns Not Expected To Re-Sign Kareem Hunt; Team Eyeing Larger Role For RB Jerome Ford

April 9th, 2023 at 2:55pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns upgraded their receiver room earlier in the offseason with the trade acquisition of Elijah Moore, but the team has yet to make any moves in the backfield. That has left Kareem Hunt on the open market with an uncertain future, but one which appears poised to lead him out of Cleveland.

The veteran back has not received any interest from potential suitors, as noted by Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com. That comes as little surprise in one sense, given the buyer’s market which existed this year in free agency at the running back position even after the usage of three franchise tags. As a result, few notable contracts have been signed and a number of accomplished players will likely need to wait until after the draft to catch on to a new team.

Part of Cleveland’s lack of a new contract offer for Hunt, Pluto notes, was the team’s evaluation that he had slowed during the 2022 campaign. The 27-year-old averaged a career-worst 3.8 yards per attempt on 123 carries last season, which gives credence to that conclusion and the decision by other teams to look elsewhere. Hunt did record 210 yards and one touchdown in the passing game, however, which could given him two-way value in his next NFL home.

The former Chiefs draftee requested a trade last offseason in advance of a campaign spent as Nick Chubb‘s backup while trying to generate free agent value. It appeared likely, in the days leading up to the deadline, that the Browns would be able to deal him to a contender, but they ultimately retained him. Now, both player and club are poised to move in different directions.

Pluto writes that the Browns’ preference is to give the No. 2 RB job to Jerome Ford. The 2022 fifth-rounder received only eight carries on offense as a rookie, but he operated as the team’s primary kick returner. Ford totaled 723 yards on 30 returns, good for an average of 24.1 yards per runback. That could translate into effective production as a pass-catching backup to Chubb, though carries could be available as well for Ford in 2023. The Browns lost former third-stringer D’Ernest Johnson to the Jaguars in free agency, leaving a vacancy which would be made more notable in the event Hunt were to indeed head elsewhere.

Rams Pursued OLB, OL, RB Help; Team Was Not In On Cooks, Hunt At Deadline

November 4th, 2022 at 3:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams’ success after in-season trades for Jalen Ramsey and Von Miller likely impacted other teams’ plans at this year’s deadline, but the defending Super Bowl champions sat out this year’s final stretch of trading. This was not due to roster contentment or lack of trying, however.

The 3-4 team is believed to have made a monster offer for Brian Burns and lost out to the 49ers for Christian McCaffrey, with a San Francisco fourth-round pick potentially being the difference for Carolina. But the Rams also pursued offensive line and wide receiver aid at this year’s deadline, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic (subscription required).

Los Angeles has seen its offense crater this season. No Sean McVay-led Rams team has finished outside the top 11 in total offense; this year’s iteration ranks 30th. Injuries at almost every offensive line position, to starters and backups, have limited the Rams considerably. Allen Robinson not following the likes of Brandin Cooks or Odell Beckham Jr. as quick studies in McVay’s attack has also affected the Rams, who rank 28th in scoring. The team opted not to swing a deal before Tuesday’s deadline, however.

Although the Browns discussed Kareem Hunt before the deadline, Rodrigue notes the Rams were not a serious suitor. The Eagles were believed to be the team that would have landed Hunt, if the Browns were legitimately interested in moving him. Shortly after a Monday-night blowout of the Bengals, the Browns seemed to back off on this front. Hunt is now set to play out his Cleveland contract ahead of free agency.

McVay has attempted a few backfield solutions this season, but none has done much to help the reigning champs’ cause. The Rams rank 31st in rushing and have not seen Cam Akers (three yards per carry) return to the form he showed before his July 2021 Achilles tear. They have seen left tackle Joe Noteboom, third-round rookie guard Logan Bruss and backup guard Tremayne Anchrum suffer season-ending injuries. The team has also played extensively without center Brian Allen, who has since returned, and left guard David Edwards (who has not). Right guard Coleman Shelton also remains on IR.

Akers, who said this week he did not request a trade, became a trade chip for the Rams. But they could not reach an agreement to unload the third-year back. Akers returned to practice this week and is not on L.A.’s injury report, clearing a path to an unexpected return to the Rams’ offense.

Additionally, the Rams were mentioned as interested in a Cooks reunion. They did pursue this, per Rodrigue, but were not in the running for the oft-traded wideout in the days leading up to the deadline. The Texans made it clear they were not planning to eat any of Cooks’ $18MM 2023 guarantee. This and an asking price of second- and fourth-round picks — more than they gave up to acquire Cooks from the Rams in 2020 — cooled down the market. Cooks, who is tied to a two-year deal worth $39MM he signed in April, is planning to rejoin the Texans after a trade-related dispute led to his missing their Thursday game.

The Rams have made big moves at the deadline under McVay. Their Dante Fowler acquisition in 2018 helped that edition to Super Bowl LIII. Ramsey and Austin Corbett (2019) made big differences in the 2020 and ’21 teams advancing in the playoffs, and Miller significantly moved the needle last season. The Rams have not replaced Miller, whom they aggressively attempted to retain in free agency, leading to the Burns pursuit.

The Rams did “everything they could” to try and land Burns, a GM informed the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora. It is somewhat surprising the Panthers would turn down an offer of two first-round picks for a one-time Pro Bowler who has yet to post his first 10-sack season, the Rams would have needed to include 2024 and 2025 first-rounders. GM Scott Fitterer, who was hired during the Matt Rhule period, may not have been too keen on not picking up a prime 2023 asset in the deal. Reports of L.A.’s Burns offer being rebuffed will only bolster the fourth-year Carolina edge rusher’s extension value, when that time comes.

After seeing their Burns push fail, the Rams have not been mentioned as being involved in the Bradley Chubb sweepstakes. While they may well have been one of the 10-plus teams to call the Broncos on the then-contract-year pass rusher, the Dolphins including a first-round pick would have given the Rams — who again are without their 2023 first-rounder — an uphill battle.

Barring a long-rumored Beckham reunion, the Rams will attempt to defend their NFC West title without a splashy addition. They will enter their post-deadline stretch 1.5 games behind the surprising Seahawks.

Eagles Pursued Kareem Hunt, Nyheim Hines

November 2nd, 2022 at 9:07pm CST by Ely Allen

The league’s top rushing offense in yards and touchdowns from last season, and this season’s last remaining unbeaten team, was still looking to get better by the trade deadline. The Eagles were able to acquire some pass rushing help, adding defensive end Robert Quinn in a trade with the Bears, but despite attempts at multiple prospects, they were unable bring in a big name at running back, according to Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports.

Last year’s top rushing team was led by then-second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts and his 784 rushing yards. A number of running backs contributed behind Hurts, the main contributor being lead back Miles Sanders with his 754 rushing yards. Boston Scott was next on the depth chart, starting four of the five games Sanders missed and adding 373 yards on 87 carries. After spending much of the beginning of the year on the practice squad, Jordan Howard came up to the active roster and rushed for 406 yards on one less carry than Scott. Then-rookie Kenneth Gainwell rounded out the group with 291 yards rushing.

So why did last year’s top rushing offense need a new running back? It appears that Philadelphia was targeting running backs that could catch passes out of the backfield. The rookie Gainwell served as the Eagles’ pass-catching back in 2021, nearly matching his rushing total with 253 yards on 33 catches. Sanders, naturally, caught some passes as the starter, as well, grabbing 26 receptions for 158 yards. According to Vacchiano, the two most talked about targets for the Eagles at the trade deadline were Browns running back Kareem Hunt and former Colts running back Nyheim Hines.

Hunt displayed his proficiency as a pass catching back during his early years in Kansas City. Hunt’s two years with the Chiefs were his biggest receiving seasons with 455 yards on 53 receptions as a rookie and 378 yards on 26 catches in Year 2. Since leaving Kansas City, Hunt has taken the backseat to Nick Chubb in Cleveland. The Browns expected him to fill both the roles of Carlos Hyde, Chubb’s primary backup, and Duke Johnson, the team’s pass catching specialist out of the backfield. Although Chubb does a good amount of receiving himself in Cleveland, Hunt has, for all intents and purposes, filled those roles when available.

Hines has cut his teeth in the NFL as a pass catching running back. In five years since coming out of NC State, he has accumulated more receiving yards (1,725) than rushing yards (1,205). Hines has spent his entire NFL career with the Colts and was reportedly a favorite of Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who served as Hines’s offensive coordinator from 2018-2020.

Regardless, the trade deadline has come and passed, and neither Hunt nor Hines reside in Philadelphia. Hunt stayed put, remaining in Cleveland to back up Chubb in an offense that will soon see the return of Deshaun Watson. Hines is no longer in Indianapolis, though, after being the main piece in a trade between the Colts and Bills. The Bills were similarly looking for diversity in their backfield which sported Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, and rookie James Cook, none of whom are prolific in the passing game. Now, with Hines, the Bills have a prime pass catching threat out of the backfield to compliment Singletary and Cook (Moss was sent to Indianapolis in the trade).

The Eagles will roll forward with what’s worked for them this year and last. Hurts still remains a large part of the rushing attack, although he no longer leads the team. The starter, Sanders, has really taken charge of the group, leading the team with 563 rushing yards through seven games so far this season. Gainwell and Scott have split carries behind Sanders to fairly limited success. A new face to compliment Sanders in the running backs room would’ve filled a slight hole in the roster of what looks like the team to beat in the NFC right now, but the Eagles didn’t deem the solutions worth the cost it would take to acquire them. They’ll move forward with the team they have for the rest of the year.

Trade Rumors: Broncos, Cooks, Akers, Hunt, Cowboys, Lions, 49ers

November 1st, 2022 at 1:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brandin Cooks is available, and Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) the Texans are in discussions involving the ninth-year receiver. But Cooks’ $18MM guaranteed 2023 salary — which came to pass after Houston re-signed him on a two-year, $39MM pact in April — has proven to be an impediment here. Teams are not moving on Cooks unless the Texans pick up a chunk of that salary. Cooks, 29, was linked to giving up some guaranteed money to facilitate a trade back to the Rams. But it is unlikely he will give up too much cash to be moved. The Giants and Vikings have also been connected to the thrice-traded Cooks. For what it’s worth, Cooks was not at Texans practice Tuesday. Personal reasons — not an imminent trade — are believed to be behind Cooks’ absence, NFL.com’s Garafolo tweets.

With the deadline in less than three hours, here is the latest from the trade front:

The Broncos have told teams they are not conducting a fire sale, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes. A Bradley Chubb trade still could commence, but NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo hears (video link) the team is holding out for a better offer. Denver has been linked to not only wanting a first-round pick for Chubb but two firsts. With the latter price range unlikely to take shape, the Broncos figure to be put to a major decision today. Jerry Jeudy remains unlikely to be moved, per Garafolo.
No Cam Akers trade is imminent, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports tweets. The Rams have been looking for a trade partner to unload their 2020 second-round pick. This situation may not be as icy as previously believed, however. Akers was once rumored to be done with the Rams, but he is now prepared to return to the team if no trade occurs this afternoon.
Prior to acquiring James Robinson from the Jaguars, the Jets looked into Kareem Hunt, Breer notes. The Browns have dangled Hunt for the price of a fourth-round pick, but the former rushing champion may now be set to stay in Cleveland for at least this season’s remainder. Hunt, 27, should be expected to hit free agency if no trade goes down today.
The Lions may not be done dealing. After sending T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings, the rebuilding NFC North squad has informed teams it remains open for business. Defensive back is one of the areas in which Detroit is willing to deal, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones tweets. Contract-year cornerback Amani Oruwariye would appear to be one name available. While Jeff Okudah arrived before the Brad Holmes regime took over, it would still be surprising if Detroit moved on from the former No. 3 overall pick.
In addition to making defensive end Tarell Basham available, the Cowboys are open to moving defensive tackle Trysten Hill, Breer adds. Dallas has not seen the former second-round pick develop into a starter but has used him as a part-time player throughout this season. The team just added Johnathan Hankins via trade and has rookie-contract performers Osa Odighizuwa and Quinton Bohanna ahead of Hill. Basham has only played in one game this season (Week 1) and remains on IR. The Cowboys designated the former third-round edge rusher for return late last month, however.
The 49ers have already made their big trade splash, sending four picks to the Panthers for Christian McCaffrey. Kyle Shanahan said (via Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area) the phone lines are always open, but the team does not expect to make another move.

Browns Not Looking To Trade Kareem Hunt?

November 1st, 2022 at 9:02am CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns are not expected to be particularly active on the trade front today, but one name frequently thought to be on the move has been running back Kareem Hunt. Despite what is believed to be a modest asking price in a trade, Cleveland could opt to keep the veteran for the remainder of the season.

CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that the Browns’ preference would be to keep Hunt (Twitter link). She also acknowledges, however, that a deal in free agency after his contract expires is unlikely to take place, something which has fueled speculation that a change of scenery will be coming by today’s trade deadline.

Such consideration picked up in the summer, of course, when the 27-year-old requested a trade. His projected workload behind starter Nick Chubb was seen as a reason, along with his contract situation. In a firm commitment to the ground game (especially to begin the season with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback), however, Cleveland kept their backfield tandem intact.

Hunt has seen a consistent rotational role in the team’s offense this season, and received double-digit carries for the sixth time during last night’s win over the Bengals. He also made four catches for 30 yards, demonstrating his value in the passing game to any acquiring teams looking for insurance in the second half of the season. It was reported yesterday that the Eagles are interested in adding Hunt, as they look to bolster the league’s last remaining undefeated roster.

When asked about the possibility of yesterday marking his final game with the Browns, Hunt said, via NFL.com’s Nick Shook, “I mean, I’m down for whatever. I’m a football player and this is a business. So I’m ready to do whatever they decide with me. That’s either go somewhere else or here, anything it don’t matter.”

Suggesting even further that his time with his hometown team is about to end, he added, “I mean, you know I’m from the city of Cleveland so I guess I’m happy we won. So yes, that’s the right way to go out.”

The 3-5 Browns have a matter of hours remaining to decide whether or not to keep Hunt and look to make further progress in the AFC, or add to the noteworthy moves which have already taken place around the league.

Eagles Potential Kareem Hunt Suitors?

October 31st, 2022 at 3:00pm CST by Adam La Rose

One major domino has already fallen at the running back position with respect to trades, and another one could soon follow. Browns veteran Kareem Hunt is expected to be on the move between now and the trade deadline, and a potential suitor for him has been identified.

Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports tweets that the Eagles are a team to watch with respect to acquiring Hunt. Doing so, it is now believed, will cost a fourth-round pick. That would allow the Browns to receive some form of compensation prior to the league year (when Hunt will be a free agent), while honoring the 27-year-old’s initial desire to be moved, which dates back to the summer.

Continuing to operate as Nick Chubb‘s backup, Hunt has been a steady contributor for the Browns this season. He received double-digit carries in each of the first five games of the year, as the team leaned even more heavily than usual on the run game while awaiting the return of Deshaun Watson from his suspension. He has, on the other hand, averaged 4.0 yards per carry in 2022, the lowest mark of his career.

Still, his pass-catching ability (which has translated to 87 yards and a score so far this year) would make Hunt a useful acquisition for a contending team. The Eagles – who made an offer on Christian McCaffrey – would certainly qualify as such. They rank fifth in the league in rushing, averaging just under 150 yards per game on the ground en route to a 7-0 record.

Hunt’s deal carries a base salary of just $1.35MM for the season, so he would be a cost-effective addition to Philadelphia’s backfield (and one the team would be better-positioned to afford than most). His carries total would be strictly limited by the presence of lead back Miles Sanders, not to mention quarterback Jalen Hurts, but pass-catching duties would leave him with a notable role in their elite offense.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman has shown a willingness to make splash moves as recently as this April’s draft, executing a deal with the Saints which landed them extra 2023 capital and acquiring wideout A.J. Brown for a first-round pick. A rental deal for Hunt would carry far less significance, presumably, but it would add further to the pieces the team has to work with as they aim for another Super Bowl run.

Latest On Rams’ Trade Deadline Plans

October 31st, 2022 at 10:58am CST by Adam La Rose

The Rams certainly bolstered the team which ultimately won the Super Bowl with their midseason moves last year. They are once again being looked at as potential buyers in the 2022 trade market, but appear unlikely to make major additions in the coming days.

The name most closely linked with the team has been Texans wideout Brandin Cooks. The 29-year-old spent two years in Los Angeles, after the Rams traded a first-round pick to the Patriots to acquire him in 2018. He posted a career-high 1,204 receiving yards in the regular season that year, playing a large role in the team’s postseason run to the Super Bowl as well. His numbers dropped off considerably the following year, and he was then dealt to Houston.

Over the past two years with the Texans, Cooks has proven himself to still be one of the top vertical threats in the league (2,187 yards, 12 touchdowns). With Houston residing in the basement of the AFC, though, the Oregon State product also represents a logical trade candidate. He is reportedly willing to lower his 2023 salary (currently a fully-guaranteed $18MM) to facilitate a move back to Los Angeles.

Peter King of NBC Sports notes that the Rams are indeed a candidate to add a speed receiver such as Cooks (provided the financial burden of taking on his contract is lessened). Notably, though, King adds that a move to upgrade the WR room could involve the Rams trading away Allen Robinson. A free agent signing from March, the 29-year-old joined Los Angeles on a three-year, $46.5MM deal. Seen as a Robert Woods replacement to complement Cooper Kupp, Robinson has yet to eclipse 63 yards in a game so far and has scored just two touchdowns.

Elsewhere on offense, King reports that the Rams have little-to-no interest in two other players who could be on the move today or tomorrow: Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil and Browns running back Kareem Hunt. Both positions have emerged as sore spots for Los Angeles this season; Joe Noteboom is out for the season with a torn Achilles, while Cam Akers has fallen out of favor with head coach Sean McVay.

Tunsil could shore up the team’s pass protection, though a 2022 restructure of his deal leaves him with a prohibitive cap hit of over $35MM next year. Hunt, meanwhile, could reportedly be had for a fourth-round pick as he is set to hit free agency in March.

The Rams currently have just under $5MM in cap space, so a deal of some kind could be coming soon. Outside of a reunion with Cooks, however, the defending champions could have a much quieter trade deadline than last season.

Browns’ Kareem Hunt Available For Trade?

October 30th, 2022 at 8:29am CST by Sam Robinson

OCTOBER 30: Adam Schefter of ESPN.com confirms Fowler’s report that Cleveland is willing to deal Hunt and would like a fourth-round pick in return. Florio now seems to be in agreement on this point as well and says that it is “starting to feel inevitable” that Hunt will be traded by Tuesday’s deadline.

OCTOBER 26: This summer, Kareem Hunt requested a trade. The Browns, bracing for a significant Deshaun Watson suspension that would force them to lean more on their run game, resisted and communicated to Hunt his importance to the team season. Less than a week ahead of the trade deadline, they may be ready to reverse course.

Certain teams believe Hunt available for the price of a fourth-round pick, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes the price is believed to be much higher. Cleveland, per Florio, is believed to want a Christian McCaffrey-type package for Hunt. Obviously a sizable gap exists between these two values, with a McCaffrey-level haul probably wishful thinking. But Hunt’s name being circulated is interesting by itself.

The Browns initially took a gamble by signing the once-embattled running back, who went from NFL rushing champion to a player the Chiefs waived after a video circulated that showed him assaulting a woman at a Cleveland hotel. Since serving an eight-game suspension, the Cleveland-area native has become the 1-B option in one of the better NFL backfield duos to emerge this century. But Nick Chubb has been Cleveland’s 1-A since this tandem formed. Chubb’s salary reflects it, and Hunt is running out of time to cash in again.

Hunt signed a two-year, $12MM extension just before the 2020 season. While that move represented a nice payment for a player who had severely damaged his NFL stock, lower-profile backs passed Hunt as the market shifted.

Even around the time Hunt reupped with the Browns, standouts like Dalvin Cook and Joe Mixon inked deals worth double Hunt’s per-year figure. This year, Chase Edmonds, James Conner and Leonard Fournette each passed Hunt as well. Chubb is tied to a three-year, $36.6MM extension, illustrating the Browns’ view of their backfield situation. Hunt’s $6MM-AAV mark sits 15th at the position.

Hunt’s contract-year salary is just $1.35MM, meaning a team would owe the sixth-year back barely half that by trading for him. However, the potential for Hunt to be had for a fourth-round pick appears to stem from the $200K-per-game roster bonuses, Fowler adds. That said, one GM who spoke to the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora said Hunt would be the best back available and “it’s not even close.”

It is worth wondering where Hunt’s career would be had the assault not occurred. The former third-round pick won the rushing title as a rookie and was on pace for better numbers in Patrick Mahomes‘ first season as Kansas City’s starter. Although Hunt’s 1,145 scrimmage yards contributed to the Browns snapping their playoff drought in 2020, that figure came in below even his 11-game 2018 season (1,202 yards, 14 touchdowns). This season, Chubb’s carry count (126) has nearly doubled Hunt’s (66).

At 27, Hunt would still stand to draw interest on the 2023 market — which could feature one of the deeper running back groups in free agency history — and the suspension did conserve the Toledo product some mileage. Still, Hunt’s age will work against him in free agency. A trade to a team willing to extend him would be an interesting development.

No deal should be considered likely until deadline day. The Browns are 2-5 and clinging to the prospect of Watson returning to revive their season, and Monday night’s Bengals matchup could represent the team’s last window to that reality. But the Browns still have Watson-less games against the Bills, Buccaneers and Dolphins. Staying in contention until Watson’s December debut will be difficult, which will put the franchise to a decision on Hunt. With the Watson trade’s historic cost stripping the Browns of draft capital, collecting picks for Hunt appears to be a route the team will consider.

Browns Not Interested In Kareem Hunt Trade

August 24th, 2022 at 3:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

With their preferred starting quarterback out until December, the Browns will need another strong season from their ground attack. Kareem Hunt should be expected to be part of that effort.

The team has no intention of granting trade request Hunt made earlier this month, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot (via the Pat McAfee Show). Hunt should be expected to be with the Browns throughout the season, Cabot offers. Considering the former rushing champion’s importance to an offense suddenly featuring questions at quarterback and wide receiver, it is unsurprising the Browns plan to hold onto their high-end backup.

Browns brass has communicated to Hunt they want him in Cleveland this season, Cabot adds. Hunt is going into the final season of the two-year, $12MM extension he signed back in 2020. Since Hunt attempted to stage a hold-in measure upon requesting to be moved — an effort that lasted two days — he has since returned to full practice. Hunt aimed for a Browns extension this offseason but remains tied to a deal that has since been outpaced by several backs.

Deshaun Watson‘s 11-game suspension certainly stands to amplify the Browns’ run game, and Hunt — as one of the best backup running backs in recent NFL history — will be one of its crucial components behind Nick Chubb. The team also has D’Ernest Johnson, whom it re-signed this offseason, crowding the backfield.

Chubb’s three-year, $36.6MM deal is in line with the new going rate for starting backs, but this price range mostly formed after Hunt signed his deal. Since September 2020, Joe Mixon, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook and Aaron Jones signed for between $12MM and $15MM per year. Christian McCaffrey tops the class and the running back market altogether ($16MM AAV). Hunt’s AAV dropped further, to 14th among running backs this offseason, when James Conner, Leonard Fournette and Chase Edmonds signed deals north of $6MM per annum.

Of course, Hunt signed his contract coming off a year in which he served an eight-game suspension in connection with multiple off-field incidents in 2018 — including a video that showed him assaulting a woman — and opted to remain Chubb’s often-used backup rather than trying to see what he could get on the 2021 market. Considering what the 2021 market became — thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a reduced salary cap — that may have been a good decision. But the contract he is currently tied to is out of step considering his talents and place as a former rushing champion.

Hunt turned 27 this month. His place alongside Chubb has allowed him to limit wear and tear compared to his Chiefs stretch. Hunt logged 325 touches as a rookie in Kansas City. His top Browns total is 236, from 2020. Last season, injuries limited the Cleveland-area native to eight games (100 touches). Hunt’s reduced mileage could still allow him do well on the 2023 market, but he will need to stay healthy to best position himself here.

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