Cleveland Browns sign free agent running back Kareem Hunt
Kareem Hunt is returning to the Cleveland Browns after the team signed a one-year contract worth up to $4 million.
Hunter is the top free agent on the open market who has yet to sign with a new team. During the preseason, he played in games against the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are in a contract extension dispute with running back Jonathan Taylor, who has requested a trade. The Saints have depth issues after two backup running backs were injured in the preseason and are awaiting Alvin Kamla's return from suspension.
Despite interest from both the Colts and Saints, Hunter remains a free agent at the start of the season.
Hunter will face the Browns this week after All-Pro running back Nick Chubb suffered a serious knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers on "Monday Night Football."
"You're not going to replace Nick Chubb," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "You just don't do it. The great players in the league, if you look around, they're on the way out. There's never been a guy that can replace a player of Nick's caliber. So everybody has to do a little bit more, everywhere. Do more.”
After Chubb went down in the first half, backup Jerome Ford took over for the Browns. Ford accounted for 131 yards from scrimmage and had a touchdown reception against the Steelers.
Hunter Returns Dawg Pound
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Toledo superstar Hunter with a third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He started 27 games for the Chiefs in 2017 and 2018.
Hunter spent the past four seasons with the Browns. He was the backup behind Chubb for the past four seasons, and the two were considered the league's most feared rushing tandem. He appeared in 49 games and made nine starts for the Browns.
In four seasons with the Browns, Hunter ran 442 times for 1,874 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also had 132 receptions for 973 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
The Browns and Hunter were unable to agree on an extension last season, leading to a trade request. The Browns were unable to find a suitable trade partner for Hunter, and he ended the 2022 season on the roster. Hunter becomes a free agent after the season.
When Chubb went down, the Browns found Hunter because of his familiarity with the offense.
I'm ready to compete and win," Hunter said. "I'm ready to go out and show my talent. I know what I can bring to the table. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to help win. "
According to Stefanski, Ford is the starting running back and Hunter will replace him in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans.
The Browns lead the NFL with 202 yards rushing per game. Their running backs are averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
Browns in the Futures Market
The Browns currently have a record of 1-1 and a winning percentage of 9.5 wins/loss. Someone with a win rate over 9.5 pays odds of -150 on DraftKings, and someone with a win rate below 9.5 pays +120.
The Baltimore Ravens sit in first place in the AFC North with a 2-0 record. The Ravens are currently a +100 or even bonus favorite to win the Smashmouth Division. The Browns are ranked second on the futures line at +330. The Cincinnati Bengals were the preseason three-pea favorite, but lost their first two games of the season and their odds have dropped to +330. The Steelers are 1-1, but at +550 odds, they're a long way from winning the AFC North.
Hunter's addition has no impact on the futures market. The Browns are ranked sixth on DraftKings' NFL board with +1200 odds to win the AFC Championship.
The Browns have a +3500 chance to win the Super Bowl in the preseason. After defeating the Bengals in Week 1, they moved to +1800. After the Browns lost to Chubb on Monday, their Super Bowl odds dropped to +2,200.
According to one DraftKings bet, the Browns have -145 odds to make the playoffs and +110 odds to miss the playoffs.
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