Kareem Hunt would like to stick around Cleveland. The running back told Mary Kay Cabot that he’s hoping for an extension from the Browns (Twitter link).
“Right now I’m just taking it day by day,” Hunt said. “I’m going to see what they want to do with me. I’m just taking it day by day. Hopefully I can be here long term.
“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.”
Hunt, who was born in Lorain, Ohio and attended Toledo, joined his hometown team in 2019 after getting released by the Chiefs amid assault allegations. The subsequent NFL investigation resulted in an eight-game ban for Hunt, and while he managed to get into each of the Browns’ next eight contests, he didn’t play a major role on offense.
During the 2020 offseason, Hunt signed the second-round restricted free agent tender before inking a separate two-year, $13.25MM extension. He can earn up to $6.25MM in 2022 before hitting free agency next offseason. He outplayed his contract in 2020; despite only starting five games, Hunt managed to finish the year with 1,145 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns. He was limited to only eight games in 2021 but managed to tie a career-high with 4.9 yards per carry.
If Hunt is willing to take a hometown discount, the Browns would surely consider an extension. However, if Hunt is looking to be paid like a starting-caliber RB, he may be hard pressed to get that contract in Cleveland. The team inked Chubb to a new deal last July, and there’s little chance the front office would want to pay significant money to two RBs.