Browns RB Kareem Hunt’s suspension ‘might not be as long’ as expected
By Dan Justik
The Cleveland Browns are awaiting word on how long Kareem Hunt will be suspended, but his potential suspension ‘might not be as long as people expect.’
The Cleveland Browns made the decision to sign running back Kareem Hunt in February, despite the running back potentially facing a suspension next season for multiple off-field incidents.
The league is still investigating the incidents involving Hunt, and the running back is expected to be suspended for a large chunk of the 2019 season.
The Browns are still awaiting a decision from the league about Hunt’s punishment. The decision will have an effect on how the Browns make personnel decisions this off-season. Most notably, if the Browns will trade running back Duke Johnson.
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Cleveland is shopping Johnson on the trade block, according to a report from Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. However, the length of Hunt’s potential suspension could impact the Browns decision to trade Johnson. But Cabot thinks Hunt’s suspension “might not be as long as people expect.”
"They’ve also been waiting for word from the NFL office on the length of running back Kareem Hunt’s suspension, which will impact their decision. That announcement could come at any time, and the suspension might not be as long as some people expect considering Hunt sat out the last five games of last season after the Chiefs cut him. – Mary Kay Cabot"
The 23-year-old has been on the Commissioner’s Exempt List since November 30 after a video surfaced of Hunt being involved in an altercation with a woman at a Cleveland hotel last February. On the same day Hunt was placed on the exempt list, the Kansas City Chiefs decided to cut Hunt.
There has not been any official word on how long Hunt will potentially be suspended. The league has taken a tougher stance on players accused of assault and domestic violence over the last few years, but they have not issued a consistent punishment with each case. Because of the league’s inconsistency, it has created a lot of uncertainty about Hunt’s potential punishment.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Jan. 20 the league’s investigation was expected to be concluded by the start of free agency. However, the new league year opened Wednesday and Hunt’s future is still unsettled.
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Even though the Browns are shopping Johnson and he has generated interest from teams around the league, Cleveland may not move him until they know the status of Hunt. If Cabot is correct and Hunt’s suspension is shorter than expected, it seems incredibly likely Johnson will be moved before the start of the season.