Kareem Hunt is entering the final year of his contract with the Browns in 2020. Just two days before the start of the season, Cleveland found a way to lock up Hunt for the foreseeable future. The Browns have arguably the best 1-2 punch at the running back position with Nick Chubb and Hunt. Cleveland now keeps both of them under contract for the next few years.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was the first to report the news:
Hunt, 25, is from Elyria, Ohio. Of course, Hunt was initially drafted by the Chiefs in the third round back in 2017 out of Toledo. Signing an extension with Cleveland means he gets to stay close to home for a while. Signing a $13.25 million contract extension to share carries with Nick Chubb isn’t a bad deal either.
In eight games last year, Hunt only recorded 43 carries. In reality, Hunt has become a different player than he was in Kansas City. He’s focused more and more on the passing game since joining the Browns. Hunt had 44 receptions in those eight games, which could end up translating to a 100 catch season in 2020.
Hunt isn’t a player with a clean track record off the field. KC released Hunt because of a domestic violence incident. The Browns were willing to give him $8 million guaranteed despite his ugly past.
The Browns look to have a bounceback year as new head coach Kevin Stefanski looks to right the ship from the Freddie Kitchens era. Cleveland makes it clear that Hunt is a big part of the offense with this contract extension.
