Who will be in the hunt for Hunt?
The Browns are reportedly planning to move on from running back Kareem Hunt ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Such a move will probably come down to the wire; Cleveland beat division rival Cincinnati on “Monday Night Football,” and Hunt carried the ball 11 times for 42 yards in the win.
If this is the end to his tenure in Cleveland, Hunt has worked exceptionally well as a solid second back to Nick Chubb since 2019: Entering Monday, Hunt notched 2,519 scrimmage yards and 23 total touchdowns in 39 games. In 2022, Hunt has run for 263 yards and three touchdowns, while grabbing another 87 receiving yards and a TD entering Week 8.
But Hunt wasn’t all that satisfied in Cleveland, prompting a trade request in August. While Cleveland didn’t entertain it at the time, a 2-5 start means that the team may look to sell off some of its expiring contracts, including Hunt.
MORE: 12 players who could be moved ahead of the NFL trade deadline
Here’s the latest on the Browns and their potentially ex-Browns running back:
Will the Browns trade Kareem Hunt?
According to reports, the Browns are open to honoring Kareem Hunt’s request for a trade, which was originally broached in August. So, there’s a world in which Hunt will be dealt before the 4 p.m. ET Nov. 1 trade deadline.
Following the Monday night game vs. the Bengals, head coach Kevin Stefanski sidestepped questions on Hunt’s future with the team.
“I don’t get into those type of things,” Stefanski said.
Kevin Stefanski on if he would like to see Kareem Hunt remain with the #Browns after tomorrow’s deadline: “I don’t get into those type of things.”
Goes on to praise Hunt’s effort tonight.
— Tyler Carey (@TC_CLE) November 1, 2022
Hunt said after the game that he was “down for whatever” and said that he loved all his teammates, but that he understands the sport is a business.
“I’m a football player and it’s a business. I’m ready to do whatever they decide,” Hunt said. “That’s either if we go somewhere else or here, anything, it don’t matter. I love the game of football.”
“I’m ready to do whatever the decide with me.” Kareem Hunt on the trade rumors pic.twitter.com/VMgBGJ1Mrp
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) November 1, 2022
Even if Stefanski doesn’t set the price, the Browns at large have: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Cleveland will be looking for a fourth-round pick for Hunt, and would rather trade him than lose him in free agency.
The Browns were originally looking for a “Christian McCaffrey-like return” in a trade for Hunt; that steep price would have been set at a second-, third- and fourth-round pick. Considering that Hunt isn’t quite the caliber of McCaffrey, that seemed unlikely.
Also for comparison: The Jaguars moved James Robinson to the Jets for a sixth-round pick that could become a fifth if Robinson reaches a yards goal through the remainder of the season.
MORE: Tracking 2022 NFL trade deadline moves and rumors
Kareem Hunt trade rumors
Outside of the fourth-round asking price for Hunt, it’s unclear who may be in the market for the Browns running back. Several teams, though, have been tied to other backs that have already moved, or may be on the move:
— The Rams were reportedly in on McCaffrey, but they were beat to the punch by the 49ers. With Cam Akers on the outs in Los Angeles, Hunt could prove to be a solid back in Sean McVay’s system.
— Rumors indicated the Saints were looking to trade Alvin Kamara to the Eagles, but only if they got a first-round pick in return. It’s unclear if the Eagles are looking to bolster their backfield, though.
— The Bills also were rumored to be in on McCaffrey, but weren’t in talks at the end. Would that parlay into a more capital-effective move for Hunt?
