Playing with one-year left on his deal, Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt has demanded a trade or extension. Who could call the Cleveland Browns for a deal?
In the span of less than 24 hours, the Cleveland Browns running back room has turned a corner and an unexpected one at that.
The duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt has been widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, backfield pairing in the NFL this season. However, that could be changing.
Playing in the last year of his current deal, Kareem Hunt reportedly demanded a new contract or a trade. Hunt just turned 27 years old on the same day he made the demand and is entering his sixth NFL season and fourth in Cleveland.
Cleveland Browns will have teams lined up for Kareem Hunt…if they want to trade him
The demand shouldn’t come with too much surprise. Hunt has been a solid addition to Cleveland’s team since arriving in 2019 and was a standout in Kansas City during his first two seasons in the league.
Off-the-field issues temporarily derailed Hunt’s career, but it was Cleveland who gave him another chance.
Now, the Cleveland-native is looking for his next move. Being partnered with Chubb in Cleveland’s backfield has allowed Hunt to have fewer miles on him than most backs of his caliber and age. However, that’s also held Hunt back from being able to fully cash in on his abilities.
A contract extension could keep Hunt in Cleveland, but given the team’s investments in other players and the potential of D’Ernest Johnson to fill the role, that seems unlikely. The rise of Johnson also raises the question if Hunt is needed in the offense.
While the Browns’ front office has said they won’t trade Hunt, there are reasons to believe it could happen. With Johnson and other backs in Cleveland, Hunt’s role could be filled.
Additionally, the organization needs to recoup lost draft assets for the Deshaun Watson trade.
If Cleveland does decide to abide by Hunt’s demands and trade the running back, what teams could be on the other side of the deal?
Cleveland Browns Kareem Hunt Trade Partner #1: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are putting the pieces together for an explosive offense, but that includes replacing lost assets. The Cardinals have locked up Kyler Murray long-term, but the options for the quarterback to find are a bit lacking from what we’ve come to know in Arizona.
DeAndre Hopkins will begin the season suspended and while the addition of Marquise Brown showed initial promise, his recent speeding issues could cause ripples.
Throw in the loss of Christian Kirk and Chase Edmonds this past season and Arizona is all of a sudden in need of pass catchers.
In Cleveland, Kareem Hunt totaled over 700 receiving yards over the last three seasons, playing in 32 games over that span. He also hauled in six touchdowns in the process.
James Conner had a resurgence last season in Arizona and the team added Darrel Williams from Kansas City for depth. However, it’s hard to ignore the potential of adding a back like Hunt.
Hunt would be able to slide into the same role we saw from Edmonds a year ago and add a much-needed layer to the Arizona offense.
Pairing Conner and Hunt would give Arizona a strong running game to compliment Murray’s mobility and add another weapon to compete in a very tough division.
Cleveland Browns Kareem Hunt Trade Partner #2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to get every well-known player on the market and Kareem Hunt could be the next name added to the list. Like the Cardinals, the Buccaneers are trying to replace assets lost from last season while still remaining at a high level.
While the need might not be as great in Tampa, it’s hard to ignore what he could bring to this offense.
Tampa Bay lost Ronald Jones this past offseason and it’s been well documented that the team wasn’t too happy with how Leonard Fournette arrived at camp. That could push the Bucs to explore adding a veteran back like Hunt.
Hunt’s ability both on the ground and through the air could allow a few things to happen in Tampa. Fournette’s role could be reeled back for more of a ground and pound role with Hunt being the pass catcher.
It would also allow the team to part ways with Gio Bernard, who plays a similar role and free up a roster spot.
The downside of Hunt in Tampa Bay is the recent addition of Rachaad White. A third-round pick this past year, White has been receiving praise through camp. Bringing in Hunt might be a short-term fix to give White more time to adjust to the NFL level.
However, that doesn’t seem to be what Hunt wants or would provide a reason for the Bucs to provide the return Cleveland wants.
Cleveland Browns Kareem Hunt Trade Partner #3: Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders made one of the biggest offseason acquisitions with the addition of Davante Adams. Adams suiting up alongside Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller has elevated the Raiders’ passing game, but in the tough AFC West that might not be enough.
Las Vegas’ run game has been a bit of a question mark this offseason. After a strong rookie season, Jacobs has regressed each year on the ground, falling short of 900 rushing yards last season while missing a pair of games.
The upside to Jacobs is his receiving totals have increased, nonetheless, his total yards from scrimmage have decreased each year.
Vegas has made attempts to add another back to this room, trying Kenyan Drake and now Ameer Abdullah. They even drafted Zamir White in the fourth round this past season.
However, adding Kareem Hunt could give the Raiders the type of one-two backfield punch they need.
Adding a playmaker like Hunt to this offense could be what Las Vegas needs. The Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos are all ready to go in this division too.
The more weaponry the Raiders can add the better. Hunt brings ability in the passing and running games and can keep defenses guessing throughout a contest. That would be huge in this division.