Kareem Hunt is the No. 2 back behind Nick Chubb, but it didn't pause the Browns from reportedly signing him to a two-year extension. (NBCnews.com)
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Instant reactions to the Browns signing No. 2 running back Kareem Hunt to a two-year contract extension for $13.25 million, including $8.5 million guaranteed:
1.Why not? That’s a cheap price for an NFL rushing champion still approaching his prime. The more weapons the better.
2.A proactive move by GM Andrew Berry. He promised he’d be aggressive in pursuing and securing talent.
3.Really? Who locks up two running backs?
Yes, the first player that comes to mind is Nick Chubb, of course.
Chubb, clearly the team’s No. 1 running back, is entering the third year of his rookie four-year contract. His base salary in 2020 is $1.15 million and he’s scheduled to earn $1.486 million in base salary in 2021. He's eligible for a new deal next year and everyone expects him to get paid.
Hunt’s extension ultimately will earn him $16.5 million over the next three years -- $5.5 million a year – counting his 2020 base of $3.259 million.
That $5.5 million average actually is a team-friendly deal for a No. 1 running back, which Hunt certainly would be on most teams. That $5.5 million average currently ranks tied for 11th in the league among running backs – well behind Christian McCaffery’s $16.51 million.
Given the rapidly rising price tag for all elite players regardless of position, there has been considerable chatter about locking up Chubb long-term as soon as possible.
Chubb is a prince of a man and the consummate teammate. When I asked him recently about the contract extensions being handed out to running backs McCaffery ($64 million for four years), Derrick Henry ($50 million for four years) and Joe Mixon ($48 million for four years), he gave a typical Chubb response.
“I see it,” Chubb replied. “I know it is happening. I am aware of it, but I am just focusing on this team right now. I am a big believer in everything happens for a reason. Whatever happens for me, it will be for the best I believe so I am just trying to get better every day here and not worry about the future.”
Now, Chubb and Hunt have bonded like brothers since former GM John Dorsey took a risk and signed Chubb a year ago after the Chiefs fired him and knowing the NFL would suspend him for eight games.
There is no doubt in my mind that Chubb is happy for Hunt and for the team about this out-of-left field new deal.
Certainly the Browns have to be happy that Hunt gave them a hometown discount.
“Kareem Hunt is a core component of our offense,” said GM Andrew Berry in a team statement. “He has been a great teammate, outstanding worker, and steadfast in his desire to have success in his hometown for the long term.
“Personal growth is often times non-linear but Kareem has remained committed to becoming the best version of himself and we are proud of the redemptive strides he has taken. He understands the opportunity he has in front of him—provided he maintains his current personal trajectory—and we look forward to the contributions he will continue to make to our team.”
But there is a larger issue unfolding here, I believe. It has to do with the vision of the team being formulated by Berry and coach Kevin Stefanski.
Stefanski’s offense is run-oriented. The run is essential to set up his play-action and bootleg-action passing game. The tight ends are extremely important and plentiful. Already, the Browns have invested in three – Austin Hooper in free agency, Harrison Bryant in the draft, and David Njoku in pickup up his fifth-year option (non-guaranteed) for 2021.
So the big question is: What does this mean for the wideouts?
Not just any wideouts, mind you, but we’re talking two of the highest-paid in the NFL, Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.
Currently, they rank 10th and fifth, respectively, in average yearly salary in the NFL. Landry’s deal, signed by the Browns in 2018, was for $75.5 million over five years – an average of $15.1 million. Beckham’s, inherited by the Browns in the trade with the Giants in 2019, is $90 million over five years – an average of $18 million.
No team is paying a pair of receivers close to that $33.1 million per year.
And they’re not the focus of the offense anymore?
It doesn’t make sense.