5 Ways Cleveland Browns can win Super Bowl 54
By Randy Gurzi
2. Kareem Hunt returns to form — and stays on the field
Kareem Hunt was let go by the Kansas City Chiefs after 11 games in 2018 once a video was released of him shoving and kicking a woman in a Cleveland hotel. He was sitting on the open market until February when the Browns gave him a shot at redeeming himself.
Him landing with Cleveland wasn’t unexpected as he was originally drafted in 2017 by John Dorsey, who was the GM of the Chiefs at the time. A third-round pick, Hunt made Dorsey look good as he ended up leading the NFL in rushing that season when he put up 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns. Hunt added another 455 yards and three touchdowns on 53 receptions.
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As a sophomore, Hunt had fewer yards per contest but was still making a bigger overall impact on the offense. In those 11 games, he had 824 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground and another 378 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. He also had increased his yards per reception by nearly six yards — jumping from 8.6 to 14.5.
With Cleveland, Hunt will have to compete with Nick Chubb for snaps as Chubb proved to be a valuable workhorse as a rookie. He managed to hit 996 yards on the ground and even set a team-record with a 92-yard touchdown run in Week 10. As impressive as all that was, Chubb isn’t nearly as deadly as a receiver as Hunt is, which adds another dynamic to the game when he’s on the field.
He will also give them some fresh legs in the second half. Hunt will serve an eight-game suspension for his off-field behavior which could end up helping the Browns as he will be rested and ready to go. Once he knocks the rust off, he could prove to be a difference-maker. As long as he doesn’t get into further trouble, Hunt could help push them over the top in their request for a Super Bowl ring.