Browns' Kareem Hunt says he'll test free agency but isn't closing door on Cleveland return

BEREA — If running back Kareem Hunt were to leave his hometown Browns during the upcoming free-agency period, the separation would be on good terms this time.

Hunt requested a trade from the Browns in the summer of 2022 but remained with the organization throughout the season. The franchise, though, did not re-sign him when his contract expired. He was left without an NFL job until four-time Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury Sept. 18. The Browns signed Hunt two days later to back up Jerome Ford.

On Sunday, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said during his season wrap-up news conference Hunt “gave us a huge jolt that we needed.”

As Browns players cleaned out their lockers on the heels of Saturday's 45-14 loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card round of the playoffs, Hunt said he didn't know whether he would return to Cleveland. He also showed the team love.

“I'm definitely going to test free agency and see what the right option is for me or what's best for me and my family and everything,” Hunt said. “But for the most part, this is always home for me. It's Cleveland until I die, so I'm going to have a special place in my heart for them."

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Did Hunt feel as if he were saying goodbye to the Browns, who finished the season 11-7, including 0-1 in the playoffs?

“Ain't closing no doors or nothing like that, but I always consider being in Cleveland over anything,” Hunt said. “It's my home and always will be.”

Hunt said helping the Browns win a Super Bowl is still among his goals. He added he wants the club to hoist the Lombardi Trophy, even if he's no longer on its roster.

“Shoot, I'd probably be at the parade cheering them on, too, if that was to happen,” Hunt said. “I wish nothing but the best for the organization and the Cleveland Browns, and I'm happy that I got to be a part of this journey for so long.”

The 28-year-old Hunt is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at 4 p.m. March 13. He may have more options than last offseason after leading the 2023 Browns with 11 touchdowns (10 rushing and one receiving). The total includes Hunt's 1-yard rushing touchdown and 11-yard receiving TD in the playoff loss to the AFC South champion Texans (11-7, 1-0 in the postseason).

“I’m so appreciative of him and the way he played and the style with which he played,” Stefanski said. “Obviously, pre-injury to Nick [Chubb], we didn’t have a spot [for Hunt], but to Kareem’s credit, he stayed in great shape.

“We brought him in, worked him out, he looked great, picked back up the system right away and played really good football for us and made plays in high-leverage moments and scored touchdowns.”

A Willoughby South High School graduate, Hunt rushed 135 times for 411 yards (3.0 average) and nine touchdowns and caught 15 passes for 84 yards in the regular season. In the playoff game Saturday, he had eight carries for 26 yards (3.3 average) and a touchdown to go along with five catches for 9 yards and a TD.

“Towards the end of the year, I definitely started feeling more like myself again,” Hunt said.

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According to spotrac.com, the Browns have 23 players scheduled to become free agents in the 2024 offseason. They are as follows:

• Matthew Adams, linebacker

• Corey Bojorquez, punter

• Harrison Bryant, tight end

• Geron Christian, offensive tackle

• Michael Dunn, offensive lineman

• Jordan Elliott, defensive tackle

• Joe Flacco, quarterback

• Mike Ford Jr., cornerback

• Marquise Goodwin, receiver

• Jakeem Grant, receiver/return man (injured reserve)

• Kahlef Hailassie, cornerback (restricted free agent)

• Duron Harmon, safety

• Nick Harris, offensive lineman

• Shelby Harris, defensive tackle

• Kareem Hunt, running back

• Maurice Hurst II, defensive tackle

• Jordan Kunaszyk, linebacker

• Rodney McLeod, safety

• Jacob Phillips, linebacker (injured reserve)

• James Proche II, receiver/return man

• Za'Darius Smith, defensive end

• Sione Takitaki, linebacker

• Anthony Walker Jr., linebacker

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns running back Kareem Hunt will test NFL free agency