Cleveland Browns long term plan for Kareem Hunt?

The Cleveland Browns have two Pro Bowl-caliber running backs, but Kareem Hunt is not signed for 2020. Should he be re-signed?

The Cleveland Browns have two star running backs in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, but Hunt is not signed for next year. So what will the Browns do with him in 2020? Re-sign him, or let him walk? If the latter is the case, why didn’t the Browns trade him for a draft choice that might help the team in 2020?

It’s hard to get inside the head of a ballplayer and predict whether recovery will occur or not. Indeed the Browns were eager to sign troubled Antonio Callaway, a first-round talent, but bailed when it became clear that he was not in control of his substance abuse issues.

Hunt was observed on video in an ugly altercation, in which he is seen kicking and shoving a woman. This earned him an eight-game suspension and got him into alcohol and anger management counseling.

Why didn’t the Browns trade Hunt at the deadline for a late-round draft pick?  Could it be that 31 other teams had no interest in a Pro Bowl running back?  That seems hard to believe, especially after he made it this far without additional issues popping up.

Let us not forget, Hunt made the Pro Bowl in 2017, a year in which he has 1,782 yards from scrimmage including 1,327 rushing yards. This guy is a sensational talent, if he still has it. It’s still early, but the eyeball test says that he is back.

There isn’t much sense in playing him only in 2019, unless you still believe that the Browns will make a Super Bowl run this year. A Pro Bowl running back could make the difference for a few more “W’s” but would also move the team’s draft position back.

Presumably, then, the Browns intend to employ him in 2020, but they will have to compete for his services as he will be a free agent. It’s very difficult to say what he should be paid. On the basis of ability, he might deserve a very large contract a la Le’Veon Bell or David Johnson. But if you factor in the uncertainty associated with his substance and violence issues, there has to be a substantial discount.

Hunt is a local product who starred for Willoughby South High School. The Browns are a good fit for him, as long as he is not jealous of Nick Chubb, who is going to get his share of touches. Hence the Browns might indeed have an edge to sign him as a free agent.

Just as a wild guess, he might be worth somewhere in the vicinity of Duke Johnson money, which was a three-year deal at about $5 million per year on the average. Because of the uncertain risk factors, the Browns would probably be entitled to guarantee less than a typical contract.

It also behooves the Browns to not commit themselves to large payments in 2021 and 2022 via the use of bonuses. That is, the NFL allows teams to pay bonus money upfront, but the yearly salary charges are spread out over the length of the contract.

So GMs with a precarious job situation tend to create contracts with a low salary-cap charge in the first year, and major commitments for years two, three and beyond. The idea is to try to win all the games possible right now and then pray for the following years. This is a dubious practice at best, but especially for a player who might not be available due to substance abuse or other risks.

If, on the other hand, the Browns go into the 2020 season with no Hunt and no draft pick, that would be very disappointing to say the least.