BEREA – Rumors swirl around Kareem Hunt. The deal closes at 4 p.m. Tuesday, and the Browns’ running back is one of his potential targets to watch.
However, Hunt does not consider the conversation personal.
“I mean, that’s the reality,” Hunt said Saturday afternoon. I just go out there, show up and play.
The Browns are likely to move the veteran running back in the final year of his contract, so he will play 24 hours before the deadline. They will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.
The outcome of that game will very likely determine whether the Browns deal with Hunt. They went into the match with a four-game losing streak that dropped them to 2-5 and 2.5 games behind. .
“I don’t talk to them about it, man,” Hunt said of the deal requests and conversations. Please press them.
The Bengals come to Cleveland half a game ahead of the Ravens, who have beaten both Ohio teams in the past three weeks. Meanwhile, the Browns have won 7 of 8 over the Bengals, including sweeping the series last year in the regular season finale when the Bengals rested most of their key players.
Monday’s win will give the Browns a boost heading into their bye week. A loss could mean a lot of changes for both the roster and the coaching staff.
This isn’t a rumor about his future that Hunt can’t shake, but a slide the Browns are working on right now.
“Yeah, I hate losing,” said Hunt. There are times when I lose at rock-paper-scissors and get upset, so that’s fine. “
The Browns have essentially 16 hours from Monday night’s game if they choose to deal with Hunt. If so, he admits it will be a bittersweet moment.
Hunt grew up on the east side of Cleveland and played high school football at Willoughby South. He would like to stay with his hometown team, but if he does go, it feels like he’s left his mark.
“It’s going to be mixed feelings for sure,” Hunt said, “but they’ll know I gave it my all here in Cleveland.
Teams such as the Philadelphia Eagles have been linked with Hunt in trade rumors. The exact return the Browns expect from him is commonly seen as a mid-round pick, possibly as a fourth-round pick.
What would a team get if they got the former NFL Rush leader?
“Yeah, they’re going to get an outrageous player,” Hunt said, signing with the Browns in 2019 after the Kansas City Chiefs were released for an off-field incident involving a woman. did.
Hunt’s name has been associated with a potential trade since the offseason when the Browns were believed to have a ton of running backs behind Nick Chubb. Nothing came of the dispute over the training camp contract.
Hunt and his agent went to the Browns during camp to request a trade, which was denied. While this was going on, he refused to participate in team training during the two days of the camp, only doing individual training.
“I don’t know if it happened,” Hunt said when asked if the trade rumors were leftovers from the camp talks. i play soccer i love the game
The season began with great anticipation for what Chub Hunt’s backfield could do for the Browns. That was especially true given the question about the quarterback position due to Deshawn Watson’s 11-game suspension.
The opening round in Carolina showed all that was possible. Although they only played together on the field eight times, the two outstanding backs played well with each other.
Chubb rushed for 141 yards against the Panthers. However, Hunt ran for 46 yards and touchdowns on 11 carries and added a touchdown on 24 receiving yards and four catches.
Hunt’s workload remained steady through the next four games, between about 11.5 rushing attempts and 2-4 targets per game. However, in his two weeks, his touches have dropped significantly, New England he’s had 16 netting yards on nine carries against the Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, plus he’s He recorded one catch for 4 yards on three targets.
“I mean, I wouldn’t say it bothers me,” said Hunt. My biggest thing is winning and losing, but we don’t do that. we haven’t won
Hunt’s snap rate in the Patriots-Ravens game hasn’t gone down like his touch. He was on the field for his 30 snaps against the Patriots, or his 43% of his snaps offensively for the Browns, and his 28 snaps (47%) against the Ravens.
Aside from being on the field for 56% of his snaps against Carolina, Hunt’s game-to-game snap rate has remained stable between 43% and 49%.
Hunt said, “I think it’s about how the game goes. I have no control over that stuff. When my number is called, I just go there.”
Hunt has remained healthy this season, and a year ago it bothered him. His 2021 season is limited by calf and ankle injuries plus the impact of his COVID-19, limiting him to eight games, with 386 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and 174 receptions. of yards.
So far this season, Hunt has rushed for 263 yards and scored three touchdowns on 66 carries, despite not having touched in the past two weeks. He added 15 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown.
“I mean, it’s not easy, but I’m the kind of person who can put my pride aside and go out and do my job,” said Hunt. every time you touch the field. “
It doesn’t matter which field Hunt plays after Monday night.
Please contact Chris at [email protected]
Twitter: @ceasterling ABJ
This article originally appeared in the Akron Beacon Journal: Kareem Hunt not worried about trade rumors as Browns ready Bengals