Should the Cleveland Browns re-sign Kareem Hunt?
The ex-Kansas City Chief has been great for the Cleveland Browns since returning from suspension. He has had issues off the field but there will be a market for Kareem Hunt this offseason.
At the end of last season, before signing with the Cleveland Browns, a video surfaced that showed Kareem Hunt getting into an altercation with a woman in the hallway of a hotel. The video reached a climax when Hunt pushed the woman to the ground and kicked her.
He was almost immediately released by the Kansas City Chiefs because they claimed that Hunt was not truthful with them about the incident. He spent the rest of last season unsigned and the Browns signed him to a one-year deal worth $1.1 million in the offseason.
He was suspended for the first eight games of this season and made his season debut against the Buffalo Bills a couple of weeks ago.
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His numbers aren’t great, but he has a tremendous impact when you watch the game. Browns fans first noticed him when he was throwing lead blocks to spring Nick Chubb for big gains, but his impact has been far greater than that.
He hasn’t got a lot of carries because of how good Chubb has been, but he is averaging five yards per carry when he does get it. He has also caught 20 passes and scored a rushing and receiving touchdown, not to mention the team is 3-1 in the four games he’s played.
He has also helped to open up the box, which has led to more success for Chubb by splitting out at receiver and forcing a linebacker or safety to follow him. Chubb has rushed for over 100 yards in two games since Hunt returned and had 92 yards in another.
But Hunt is not best at receiver. He is one of the best running backs in the league and he will probably command that kind of price on the open market. He has been doing a good job of repairing his image in Cleveland and that could lead to a big pay-day.
The Browns may not be willing to pay that price, as they have players to pay immediately like Joe Schobert and possibly Greg Robinson. They also have Baker Mayfield, Chubb and Myles Garrett, who will all be due big extensions in the future.
So Browns general manager John Dorsey may not think it’s necessary to have two top running backs on the roster, which makes sense. But with the uncertain future of Odell Beckham Jr., you may need to keep as many weapons as possible.
Although Chubb has been incredibly durable, running backs take a beating, so splitting carries could keep both players healthy. Maybe Hunt will give the Browns a hometown discount since he is from the Cleveland area or sign for less because Dorsey drafted him.
Next. Browns signing Zimmer means more for Sheldon Richardson. dark
Hunt will have to continue to have an impact for the rest of season, and if he does, that will put the Browns in a tough situation at the end of the season regarding his future.