Kareem Hunt can see the Browns' future, and it might not have him in it. That's why the running back wants a new deal or a trade. (USA Today)
Just what the Browns don’t need: Kareem Hunt seeks new contract or trade
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
The Deshaun Watson saga has consumed the Browns’ front office for months. As it comes to a head, probably early next week, a new headache has emerged.
Kareem Hunt wants a new contract or a trade.
The running back from Willoughby, OH, is staging what has become known as a hold in – not a holdout. He’s present and practicing, but only in individual drills. Unbeknownst to fans and media, Hunt has declined to participate in team drills the past two days.
It’s a protest that came as a result of recent conversations between his agent, Dan Saffron, and Browns GM Andrew Berry.
Hunt, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday, is in the final year of a team-friendly two-year contract. Hunt can earn up to $6.25 million this year as No. 2 back behind good friend Nick Chubb.
Hunt can be a free agent in 2023. He apparently is pressing Berry to make a decision on his future now.
Berry tipped his hand on his plans when he drafted Cincinnati running back Jerome Ford in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. Ford rushed for 1,319 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Bearcats, and also brings the receiving skillset of a third-down back.
The intent was not necessarily to replace Hunt this year, but next year.
Berry also re-signed No. 3 back D’Ernest Johnson for $1.2 million, creating a surplus in the backfield.
If everyone is healthy, Hunt or Johnson could be traded before the season.
Hunt’s protest now makes him the frontrunner to be shipped out. But that would hinge on Ford being healthy through camp.
Hunt was the NFL’s leading rusher in his rookie season of 2017 with the Kansas City Chiefs. He was fired by the team late in the 2018 season for being untruthful about the facts surrounding an assault of woman in a downtown Cleveland apartment complex.
Former Browns GM John Dorsey, who drafted Hunt in the third round as Chiefs GM in 2017, then signed Hunt on the rebound for the Browns.
Hunt served an eight-game suspension at the start of the 2019 season. In the Browns’ playoff season in 2020, Hunt had 841 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns and added 304 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns.
Injuries limited Hunt to eight games and 386 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns in 2021. Hunt did not have a receiving touchdown for the first time in his five NFL seasons.
When healthy, Hunt undeniably is the best non-starting running back in the NFL. His receiving skills would attract any running back-needy team.
If the Browns keep Hunt this year and he leaves in free agency after 2022, the Browns could be in line for a third-round compensatory pick. That would serve as the baseline asking price for him in trade.
40 time be damned
Cornerback A.J. Green is another example of how a player’s pre-draft 40 time can haunt him early in his NFL career.
Green was undrafted in 2020 from Oklahoma State after clocking a 4.62 40 at the NFL combine. The Browns gave him a big bonus to sign with them. Green spent the majority of his first year on the practice squad, but he proved himself last year in replacement duty in 12 games.
Now in his third season, the tall (6-2) and rangy Green is an integral piece of the Browns’ envious depth at cornerback. He is being trained for the first time inside and has lined up as Greg Newsome’s backup at nickel back.
Green said the 4.62 clocking at the pandemic-affected 2020 combine was a huge disappointment.
“It definitely was eye-opening because I know I play faster. I know I feel faster,” Green said. “I know I’ve gone against guys that run 4.3, 4.4, and I’d keep up with them. That definitely was an eye-opener.”
It’s ancient history now.
Newsome said Green could start for many teams. But with the Browns, Green plays behind Denzel Ward, Newsome and Greedy Williams. He and rookie M.J. Emerson have a position battle going for CB4. Green is likely to win it.
“It means a lot,” Green said of Newsome’s plaudit. “Day after day, year after year, I have to prove myself, especially after being undrafted. There is good competition in this building. I want to step up to the plate. I want to show that I can play with the best.”
Ring the Bell
Rookie receiver David Bell was activated off the PUP list and participated in his first practice of camp.
Bell participated only in individual drills and will be eased into team drills. Bell spent almost an hour after practice catching passes from Jacoby Brissett and Josh Dobbs.
The Browns are training Bell as a slot receiver, which would result in more three-receiver formations for coach Kevin Stefanski this year. It’s a position relatively unfamiliar to Bell at Purdue.
“He is really intelligent,” Stefanski said. “He had a nice spring for us. We have moved him around in the formation. He picked it up pretty quickly. We are excited about getting him back out here. Like anything, I want him to catch up real fast, and I know that he does, too. He is excited to be back out.”
Brownie bits
Foreboding forecasts on the NFL appeal of Watson’s six-game suspension came from two national football journalists on hand Saturday. Both expected Roger Goodell designee Peter Harvey to come down heavy with a new penalty of indefinite suspension with a minimum of the entire 2022 season + a multi-million dollar fine + mandatory counseling. Watson better hope the reported offer of a settlement prior to NFL disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson’s report is still available. That was for a suspension of 12 games + a fine in the range of $8 million to $10 million …
The banged-up receiving room had a net gain of one. Bell returned, as did Anthony Schwartz (knee). But rookie Michael Woods (hamstring), who was taking advantage of increased reps, is now sidelined. “He is going to miss some time, yes,” Stefanski said. Woods was sidelined in OTAs with the same injury ...
Also cleared to practice and activated from injury lists were linebacker Anthony Walker and receiver Javon Wims …
The Browns signed defensive end Chris Odom, son of 1980 Browns draft pick Cliff Odom. Chris was an undrafted free agent of Atlanta in 2017. He had a cup of coffee with Green Bay and Washington before exporting to the CFL. Odom matriculated to the revived USFL and produced a league-high 12.5 sacks with the Houston Gamblers …
Cornerback Lavert Hill was signed on Friday. He was undrafted in 2020 and has been with the Chiefs, Eagles, Cardinals and 49ers. On his first work day in a Browns uniform, Hill did this in one-on-one drills against receivers. On his first rep, Hill covered Demetric Felton on a short route and wrangled an interception. On Hill’s second rep, he intercepted a pass for Mike Harley in the end zone. That’s a pretty good day for anybody, much less a newbie on his first day.
