After being eliminated by the Houston Texans six months ago, Cleveland Browns fans finally have some action to look forward to. The final stretch of the NFL offseason is here with the Browns' training camp beginning on July 22 before their first preseason game takes place against the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 10.
Browns general manager Andrew Berry had his hands full this offseason. Not only did he work hard to bring in new faces like Jordan Hicks, D'Onta Foreman, and Jameis Winston, but he also managed to re-sign key free agents like Za'Darius Smith, Shelby Harris, and Maurice Hurst.
With that being said, the NFL's salary cap limit meant that Cleveland was unable to bring back certain free-agent names. While some of those players didn't take long to find a franchise to join, others are still waiting for their next opportunity.
Here's a look at six former Browns who are still unemployed with training camp around the corner.
1. Kareem Hunt, RB
It's impossible to talk about the Browns' backfield in recent years without mentioning Kareem Hunt. While plenty of running backs have come and left Cleveland, Hunt has been a constant presence for the Browns throughout the last six seasons, amassing over 3,300 scrimmage yards and 32 TDs across 64 games during that stretch.
Unfortunately, such a resume hasn't been attractive enough to land another contract offer this offseason.
While Hunt has been one of the NFL's better RB2s in recent years, it's clear he isn't the player he once was. The former Toledo rusher managed to turn 135 carries into just 411 rushing yards and nine touchdowns across 15 games last season. His TD total was impressive, sure, however, his yards per carry continued to decline, going from 4.9 in 2021 to 3.8 in 2022 to a career-worst 3.0 in 2023.
At the end of the day, Hunt doesn't make much of an impact away outside the red zone and will limit any potential suitor's interest. After all, eight of his nine TDs came on a touch inside the opposition's 10-yard line. It also didn't help that he only hit the 50-yard mark once last season.
But even with his recent lackluster production, Hunt plans to be ready for job offers once training camp begins. The former league rushing leader didn't sign with the Browns until late September last year, so he may be taking his time until the right situation arises.
2. Marquise Goodwin, WR
It isn't a secret that Marquise Goodwin's first (and likely last) season with the Browns was a complete bust.
The former 2013 third-round pick was signed last offseason to help a wide receiver room that had nothing going for it outside of Amari Cooper. Although Goodwin is far from a difference-maker on his own, the hope was that he could thrive in an expanded role given that he nearly had 1,000 receiving yards in the only season where he played (and started in) 16 games (2017).
Even though Goodwin played 12 games with the Browns last year, he may as well have suited up for zero given how invisible he was. The ex-Texas Longhorn only caught four of 13 balls sent his way (30.8%), turning those opportunities into 67 yards and one first down. He dropped a career-worst 15.4% of his targets while only tallying a horrific 9.6 passer rating when targeted.
For reference, Kansas City Chiefs backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert had the worst passer rating last season (31.3) among 59 eligible signal-callers. Hell, the Browns' QB room would've been better off throwing the ball into the ground every play (39.6).
Goodwin's injury history is likely playing another role in his unemployment status. He's yet to play a full campaign since 2017, missing an average of 4.8 games in five seasons since then (not counting 2020, which he sat out entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
Even though the league has plenty of WR-hungry teams, Goodwin is far from an attractive option. His best days are clearly behind him and I wouldn't be shocked if there's a team not willing to roll the dice on the oft-injured playmaker.
3. Jakeem Grant, WR
No one would blame you if you forgot that Jakeem Grant was with the Browns for the last two seasons. After establishing himself as one of the NFL's top return men with the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears with back-to-back All-Pro nods, Grant signed a three-year deal with Cleveland that was initially worth up to $13.8 million ahead of the 2022 campaign.
Unfortunately, Grant never played a single game in a Browns uniform while on that contract. The Athens, TX native missed the entire 2022 NFL season after tearing his Achilles tendon during a preseason practice. Although he made a full recovery, disaster struck again when Grant ruptured a knee tendon last August that sidelined him for the entire 2023 schedule.
Back-to-back season-ending injuries are never good, especially for a player who relies on his speed like Grant. He did garner some interest earlier this offseason when he was invited to the New York Jets' rookie camp on a tryout basis. However, Grant clearly didn't impress enough to warrant a contract.
It's hard to imagine many NFL GMs willing to take a chance on Grant. While his heights were impressive, it's been nothing but lows in the last two seasons. Given his age (31), it's unlikely that he'll return to that level any time soon (or ever).
4. Duron Harmon, SS
Veteran safety Duron Harmon made a name for himself as a solid backup safety presence throughout seven seasons with the New England Patriots. He won three Super Bowl rings with the franchise, leaving time to tell if he could experience similar success with a different franchise.
Much to Harmon's dismay, success has eluded him since leaving New England four years ago.
Since the beginning of the 2020 NFL season, the former Rutgers defender has played with five franchises across four campaigns. He began the 2023 season with the Chicago Bears, however, he ended up joining the Browns' practice squad following his release in November.
Although he didn't see much playing time, Harmon still played four games in a Cleveland jersey. He registered 13 solo tackles, two defended passes, a sack, and an interception across 134 defensive snaps. Even his Pro Football Focus grades looked solid as he tallied a 64.4 coverage grade and a tackling mark of 89.9.
Harmon's unemployment has more to do with personal decisions and not a lack of suitors. The 33-year-old ballhawk spoke on the "Eye of Foxborough" podcast last month about how the next NFL season will be his last, meaning he's waiting for the right opportunity to emerge rather than rush into things.
With training camp beginning shortly, it might not be long before Harmon puts pen to paper.
5. Jordan Kunaszyk, LB
Jordan Kunaszyk's time with the Browns was a whirlwind, to say the last. He's been in and out of the lineup throughout the last two seasons, spending multiple stints on the practice squad and injured reserve without a ton of consistency in between.
After playing in 15 games (2 starts) with the Browns in 2022, Kunaszyk was held to just five appearances during the 2023 season.
He didn't make the most of his few appearances, only tallying seven solo tackles while missing 18.2% of his attempts. He was hardly used on defense often, only playing 56 defensive snaps compared to 125 on special teams.
It isn't difficult to see why teams aren't exactly blowing up Kunaszyk's phone. The former All-Pac-12 linebacker only has 29 solo tackles without a sack in 46 career games, which isn't even that impressive for a depth piece. The offseason rumor mill has also been devoid of his name outside of working out with the Denver Broncos last month, which clearly didn't go anywhere.
The 27-year-old's injury history likely played a factor in the lack of interest, too. He's missed an average of 7.2 contests throughout his first five NFL seasons and has only reached the double-digit mark in games played twice.
Unless he's brought in as a warm training camp body, it's tough to imagine Kunaszyk having much of a future in the league.
6. Drew Forbes, OL
Drew Forbes first made his way to Cleveland when the Browns used the 2019 NFL Draft's No. 189 selection on him. The ex-Southeast Missouri State blocker was a solid offensive line presence for the Redhawks and the hope was that he could provide a similar impact at the next level.
Forbes' first stint with the Browns left much to be desired, to say the least. Between multiple injuries and sitting out of the entire COVID-plagued 2020 season, the Bonne Terre, MO native only suited up in three games for Cleveland before being waived by the franchise ahead of the 2022 campaign. He was scooped up by the Detroit Lions that same day. However, a second waiver placement resulted in Forbes' return to the Browns less than a month later.
Between the two teams, Forbes played 19 offensive snaps and another 33 on special teams, allowing just one pressure on 12 passing downs.
Having said that, the 27-year-old offensive lineman hasn't played a game since then. He suffered an unknown injury at some point during last year's training camp, resulting in his missing the entire 2023 season.
His outlook became even more grim when he failed a physical in April, resulting in the Browns letting him go.
There hasn't been any news regarding Forbes since his release. It's entirely possible that he's still dealing with whatever mystery issue sidelined him last year, leaving time to tell if he'll ever be healthy enough to play another NFL game again.
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