How much does the Cleveland Browns front office value running backs?
By Josh Brown
Could Kareem Hunt be different?
The Browns currently have the luxury of two elite backs for the 2020 NFL season. That will have to change next offseason as Hunt will be an unrestricted free agent. Depending on his performance this season, Hunt could demand a nice contract on the open market if he chooses.
The question is, will his history of run-ins off the field drive his stock down regardless. If so, would the Browns make a reasonable offer to the former rushing champion with the expectation he would be the featured back in the future? Why not?
Analytics is about getting value, and a top-end running back on a mid-level contract is a great value. That answer will come down to Andrew Berry and Paul DePodesta determining if anything but a rookie contract or veteran minimum is worth spending.
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Hunt has already expressed the willingness to want to play in Cleveland for his career. Does that come with a side of home discount? Maybe that would entice the analytics guys, even more, at contract time. Both Hunt and Chubb have tremendous talent, and at least one will have to move on at some point based on what they both will cost. The final question will be which one, if not both, will be playing in another uniform soon? Only time and Andrew Berry will tell.