Sounds like Cleveland Browns want Kareem Hunt to return in 2020
By Randy Gurzi
Kareem Hunt will be a restricted free agent this offseason and it sounds as though Cleveland Browns new general manager Andrew Berry wants him to return
Ahead of the 2019 season, the Cleveland Browns took a gamble by signing Kareem Hunt. The former 2017 NFL rushing leader is an elite talent but was let go by the Kansas City Chiefs the prior year after a video was released showing him shoving and kicking a woman in a Cleveland hotel.
When signed by the Browns, Hunt had yet to be suspended by the league but it was known that a decision was coming. Eventually, he was told it would be an 8-game ban and Hunt elected not to fight it and took the punishment.
He then sat out the eight games before recording 179 yards rushing and 285 yards on 37 receptions with three total touchdowns. Hunt was able to participate even with Nick Chubb on the roster but it wasn’t known whether the team wanted him back or not.
Hunt was a favorite of John Dorsey, who originally drafted him in Kansas City and then signed him in Cleveland. However, Dorsey is now gone and Andrew Berry is the general manager. And on top of that, Hunt recently made some bad press when he was cited by police and had small amounts of marijuana in his car.
Even with that hiccup, it sounds as though the Browns want No. 27 to return. Speaking with reporters during his introductory press conference, Andrew Berry said he spoke with Hunt and “looks forward” to working with him.
New Browns’ GM Andrew Berry on RB Kareem Hunt: “We have communicated our expectations for him moving forward. We want guys who are going to be smart, tough and accountable, on and off the field. Kareem understands that, and we are looking forward to him meshing with our culture.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 5, 2020
The Browns should have no problem keeping Hunt. He enters the offseason as a restricted free agent, meaning they can place a tender on him that would force teams to give up a high draft pick to sign him. And even if Hunt did find a suitor, Cleveland could match any contract offer.
Of course, considering he’s the second running back with Chubb on the roster, the Browns would likely take the draft pick if some team came out and offered him a massive deal to be their starter.
Next. 3 players Browns need to consider in the first round. dark
Given his track record, that probably won’t happen. Instead, odds are Hunt signs a one-year deal with the Browns and again tries to prove he’s worthy of a long-term contract on the open market in 2021.