BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Kareem Hunt is tuning out the noise while craving opportunity and wins.
Hunt has been avoiding the trade rumor mill by staying off social media and staying away from sports talk radio.
“I don’t look at that stuff,” Hunt said Saturday. “If it happens it happens. I’ll be ready.”
If he is moved prior to the 4 p.m. eastern Tuesday trade deadline, Hunt knows exactly what a new team would be getting in him.
“Yeah, they’ll get a helluva player,” Hunt said.
During training camp Hunt, who is in the final year of a two-year, $12 million extension, asked the Browns for a trade after not being extended again but claims he hasn’t renewed the request in recent days.
“I haven’t said anything to them,” Hunt said.
With the Browns 2-5 and all but out of contention and the depth EVP/GM Andrew Berry has built at his position through the draft, Hunt could be expendable, and he sounded indifferent about staying.
“I mean, it is what it is,” Hunt said. “It’s a business. I just go out there and show up and play, man.”
It has dawned on him that Monday night’s game against the Bengals could be his last with the Browns, his hometown team that he had dreams of carrying to the Super Bowl.
“I mean it’ll be mixed emotions for sure, but they’ll know I gave it my all here in Cleveland and that’s what I’ll always and continue to do,” Hunt said.
Hunt, who was born in Lorain County and starred at Willoughby South high School, hasn’t seen his snaps decrease but his touches have vanished the last two weeks. He went from getting double digit carries and multiple looks in the passing game the first five games to just nine carries and a scant few looks through the air the last two weeks combined.
“I mean, it ain’t easy but I’m a person who can put his pride to the side and just continue to go out there and do my job,” Hunt said. “I love the game of football and I enjoy it every time I touch the field.”
The losing bothers Hunt more than the lack of touches.
“I hate losing,” Hunt said. “I’m a competitive person. I can lose at rock paper scissors and get upset, so that’s the thing.”
Hunt has carried 66 times for 263 yards and three touchdowns while adding 15 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown this season, but he feels he could be doing much, much more.
“Oh most definitely. I just need the opportunity, the chances,” Hunt said.
That tells you all you need to know about where things stand – for both sides.