Contract: Kareem Hunt picked the Browns over two other NFL teams

If you had said Kareem Hunt would end up back with the Cleveland Browns a month ago, no one would have believed you. Well, it’s become a reality due to the unfortunate injury to running back Nick Chubb. Cleveland needed another running back to add to the room behind starter Jerome Ford and they chose […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer

Sep 20, 2023 1:52 PM EDT

If you had said Kareem Hunt would end up back with the Cleveland Browns a month ago, no one would have believed you.

Well, it’s become a reality due to the unfortunate injury to running back Nick Chubb. Cleveland needed another running back to add to the room behind starter Jerome Ford and they chose some familiarity. Cleveland gave the free agent back a deal worth up to $4 million.

An official reunion: Former Browns’ RB Kareem Hunt is re-signing a one-year deal with Cleveland worth up to $4 million, per source. Hunt now will try to help fill the void with Nick Chubb’s season-ending knee injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2023

Pro Football Focus cap analyst Brad Spielberger believes that the deal is worth $2.5 million in base salary and the other $1.5 million could come from incentives.

Probably around $2.5M base, but not insignificant. I still think this is largely Jerome Ford's backfield https://t.co/UXyEdNQu5k
— Brad Spielberger (@SpielbergerBrad) September 20, 2023

Hunt’s last deal with the Browns was for two years and $12 million. Now, he’s back for a slight deduction if he can hit his incentives. Those incentives likely tie around playing time and the money increases as his time on the field percentage goes up. This was not the only option that Hunt had, however.

Both the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts have offered Hunt a contract previously, A to Z Sports can confirm. Those deals likely came in under $4 million, or else Hunt would have been signed. The veteran running back waited for the best offer and it comes from a team that needs him as well. Hunt is going to get a few touches a game at least, behind Ford and ahead of Pierre Strong Jr.

After Hunt entered free agency, the Browns did not have an interest in bringing him back. The need for him worked out since he was still available, and Cleveland could grab a player who knows the system.

Now, the hope is that Hunt can be at least better than he was last season and can pick up just a piece of the puzzle left behind with Chubb out for the season.