Per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Cleveland Browns are signing their former running back Kareem Hunt to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million in light of the recent reports stating that their Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb will be out for the remainder of the season after suffering a frightening knee injury on Monday Night Football.
Hunt spent the previous four seasons with the Browns before testing free agency this offseason. Hunt had visited with several teams including the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings but left each meeting unsigned before ultimately deciding to re-sign with the Browns.
Hunt was waiting for the right opportunity where he could step in and get immediate playing time. Now, he will have a chance to step into an offensive system he is already familiar with and receive a major workload on a team that just lost their best running back and engine of their offense.
The tandem of Chubb and Hunt has arguably been the best running back duo in the NFL since the Browns signed Hunt in 2019. However, Hunt posted career lows in yards per attempt (3.8) and yards per game (27.5) last season, so it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank at this point in his career.
Hunt should immediately step into a sizeable role and operate as the team’s No. 2 running back behind presumed starter Jerome Ford, who stepped in for Chubb during Monday night’s game and amassed 131 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 19 touches in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
