Cleveland Browns Rumor: Kareem Hunt aiming for extension

Kareem Hunt joined his hometown Cleveland Browns before the 2019 season and wants to continue to play with the orange and brown as long as he’s in the NFL

Back in 2019, the Cleveland Browns took a chance on Kareem Hunt, who had been released by the Kansas City Chiefs after a video of him in a physical altercation with a female surfaced.

Hunt, who is a local product, felt going home was the right way to get his new start and has done a fantastic job restarting his career.

In three seasons with the Browns, he has 1,406 yards rushing and another 763 yards on 97 receptions. In all, he has 19 touchdowns while serving as the second running back behind Nick Chubb.

Entering 2022, Hunt is in the final year of his contract extension that he signed in 2020, but if it were up to him, he would stick around much longer. According to Mary Kay Cabot, Hunt wants to remain with the Browns and is hopeful they get a new contract done.

"“I’m going to see what they want to do with me and I’m just taking it day by day. Hopefully I can be here long term. We’ll see what God has in plan for me, that’s all I can say.” — Hunt said via Cabot"

The veteran running back even said he would love to finish his career here — since he loves the city so much.

Cleveland Browns running back room is stacked

The one question that has to be answered is what the Browns want to do. Hunt is clearly the best No. 2 running back in the NFL and could start for a lot of teams, but is still willing to stay in his role — which would probably extend his career since it would limit the abuse he would take as a workhorse back.

However, Cleveland has plenty of options that would be more affordable. Hunt is set to make roughly $6.25 million but the Browns have D’Ernest Johnson making just over $2 million and there are two other capable backs — Jerome Ford and Demetric Felton — playing on rookie deals.

Simply put, Cleveland is stacked at the position, and with how much they just committed to quarterback Deshaun Watson, they might look to save some money going forward.

Having said that, Hunt is an upgrade over all the backs on this team other than Nick Chubb. Since he missed nine games in 2021, some might have forgotten this fact.

This is why Hunt said his goal is to prove he’s healthy and show that on the field. If he plays anything like he did in 2020, it would be hard not to see what kind of a deal he’s looking for.