If the Cleveland Browns can afford it a Kareem Hunt extension isn’t the worst idea

Kareem Hunt wants to stay with the Cleveland Browns.

I’ve been on records saying I’m no fan of Kareem Hunt, and I don’t think he’s an elite running back for the Cleveland Browns. He’s certainly no slouch and a bonafide starter, but Nick Chubb is an elite running back, and Hunt isn’t on his level. It’s not even close. Let’s not debate an obvious truth.

That said, Hunt has value as a player and as a trade asset. The Browns could do worse than to keep Hunt around. He’s reliable and can certainly open up the passing game from the backfield. Since the offense is going to be more passing, Hunt becomes more valuable to the team, so re-signing him a is a good idea. 

But like all players, it comes down to cost. He shouldn’t take less just to stay in Cleveland, as a runningback only has so many good years to make money. I don’t think it’s logical or even likely that Hunt plays the rest of his career in Cleveland, I think he’ll likely find his way to another team eventually. Even if it’s just the last year or two of his career.

That said, if the Browns want to give Hunt an extension, Hunt is more than open to it. Hunt, who is a free agent this offseason, told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that he’d like to return to the team next year and beyond.

"I was born and raised here. I’d love to finish my career here and just keep playing the game with (Nick) Chubb longer and with the great guys on this great team."

The Cleveland Browns should make a decision on Kareem Hunt sooner rather than later

Hunt’s a free agent at the end of the season and the team could fetch a pretty draft pick for the player. The team has got to utilize the draft to its fullest capabilities to ensure a long run with the current regime.

The next few years are going to be very lean money wise and the team will have to replace some high-price names like Joel Bitonio and Jack Conklin with either inexpensive free agents or draft picks.

Hunt’s future with the team is going to be dependent on if the team believes they have something in D’Ernest Johnson or rookie Jerome Ford. If they have faith they can replace Hunt, then they’ll move on from him. Hopefully, that’s before it gets too late and the team can get a draft pick for him.