CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – A day after singing a two-year contract extension with the Browns, running back Kareem Hunt expressed gratitude for the team’s belief in him.
A year ago, Hunt began an eight-game suspension as a result of his abhorrent off the field behavior.
The Browns signed Hunt in February 2019, three months after an ugly video of Hunt shoving and kicking a woman outside his downtown Cleveland residence was published by TMZ and led to his immediate release by the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I’m just grateful,” Hunt said Wednesday morning during a Zoom video conference with reporters. “It’s an honor to be here, especially in my hometown.”
Hunt specifically mentioned former Browns general manager John Dorsey, who selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft and then signed him in Cleveland.
“He’s done a lot for me by drafting me and bringing me here,” Hunt said. “I couldn’t thank him enough.”
The organization has applauded Hunt’s efforts to reform himself, repair his image and contribute on the field since which led to Tuesday’s deal.
“I think Kareem has been outstanding in the building, in the meeting rooms and on the field,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Obviously, we think highly of him as a player, but I just can’t tell you how impressed I am of him as a teammate. I think he is all in. He is always supporting his guys and really treats the team in a way that I think speaks to the rest of the guys that this guy is very serious about ball.
“He has made sure that he is living the right way and doing the right things, and that is obviously a big part of this.”
While Hunt has proven himself to the organization, his popularity within the locker room is undeniable.
“We’re all extremely happy for Kareem,” quarterback baker Mayfield said. “Proud of him for the work he’s put in, for the changes he’s made, and to be here in his hometown everyone’s happy for him.
“He’s a vital part of our team – mentality-wise, culture-wise, on the field obviously his skills and play speak for itself.”
The agreement keeps Hunt with the Browns through the 2022 season, so long as he stays out of trouble off the field.
On the field, Hunt, who averaged 4.2 yards per carry on 43 attempts and added 37 catches for 285 yards with three touchdowns combined in eight games last season, has high hopes for himself, and the Browns.
“I’m happy I’m home,” Hunt said. “I really just want to go out there and win and do everything in my power to bring a championship to Cleveland.”
Hunt took a discount to stay home too by passing on an opportunity to become a free agent next March and pursing a much more lucrative deal by signing for two additional years and $13.25 million.
“I definitely feel I stack up with the best of the best,” Hunt said. “Hopefully in two to three years everybody will see that.”
Hunt’s new contract also ensures that the team has insurance should they be unable to extend fellow back Nick Chubb, who finished second in the league in rushing yards with 1,494 in 2019.
“I am excited about that [extension],” Chubb said. “I get to play ball with Kareem for however many more years we have, and that is a great thing for me, a great thing for this team and for this city.”
Chubb and Hunt have become close friends over the last 18 months and the expectation is they'll give the Browns a dynamic, unstoppable duo coming out of the backfield.
“I think it gives the defense a hard time having to plan for us and scheme for us because they do not know what we are going to do and they do not know how we are going to be used or utilized in the system,” Chubb said. “I think it can be special if we find the right way to utilize us, keep us both on the field or have certain plays for both of us.”
Even with Chubb eligible for an extension in the spring, don’t expect a tug of war between the two backs over carries or touches.
“We’ve got the same goals and we want to win,” Hunt said. “No matter how, we just want to find a way to win. We don’t get selfish or anything like that. We share with each other and we know there’s only one football.”
Hunt is hopeful he and Chubb will get to work together for the foreseeable future.
“I would definitely love to be a tandem here with Nick for a long time,” Hunt said. “Nick’s a great back. He’s definitely one of those backs that can take it to the house at any moment.
“Our conversations are still the same. We’re good buddies and we look out for each other.”
For Chubb, the feeling is mutual.
“I hope so. Definitely,” Chubb said. “I would not mind staying here with Kareem and staying with the Browns for as long as I can. It definitely would be special if we could do that. I look forward to playing with him this season and for more to come.”
