CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 17: Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
The Browns told their running back that a Kareem Hunt trade won’t happen but these three NFL teams should make offers Cleveland can’t turn down.
It’s a wonder that it took this long, but Kareem Hunt is seemingly tired of being second fiddle in the Cleveland Browns backfield. Reports surfaced on Saturday that he essentially holding in at training camp doing just individual work, but then the hammer dropped as Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported that Hunt had requested a trade.
The Browns, however, were hearing none of it as they told the running back that they would fine him for missing practice and would not trade him.
With that said, there’s a case to be made that, with Nick Chubb as the lead back in Cleveland, the franchise might be better off trading Hunt to a team that could have a bigger role for him in the offense. What it might take is just one of these other clubs calling up the Browns and making an offer that they can’t pass up.
Specifically, these three NFL teams should be making a call to Cleveland about a Kareem Hunt trade.
Kareem Hunt trade rumors: 3 teams that should make Browns an offer
3. Chicago Bears need to get Justin Fields another reliable weapon
The scene in Chicago when it comes to the offense (or, you know, as a general whole) is relatively bleak. Yes, fans can hang all of their hope on second-year quarterback Justin Fields having a breakout 2022 season now that he’s free from Matt Nagy, but even that’s going to be difficult given the severe lack of talent around him.
David Montgomery figures to be the starting running back for the Bears again and he’s proven he can be a solid player. What he lacks, though, is consistent production as a pass-catcher and the explosiveness that a player like Hunt can provide.
With questions about the offensive line in Chicago and arguably the worst wide receiver room in the league — no shade to Darnell Mooney intended — Fields needs more weapons to work with in the passing game. Just as importantly, he needs more check-down options that can make plays with the ball in their hands besides hoping Cole Kmet takes a step forward.
Hunt would provide that and the Bears are in a position where they should be looking for anything. The wins aren’t going to be plentiful this season in the Windy City, but it’s about putting Fields in the best position to succeed and Hunt would do that more so than any other player on the offense currently.