LB Anthony Walker walked up behind newly signed RB Kareem Hunt, threw his arms around Hunt's shoulders and yelled, "Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back!"
Welcome back, indeed.
After RB Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury, the Browns needed to add depth to their running back room. They announced on Wednesday they signed RB Kareem Hunt, who previously played for the Browns from 2019-22. In 2022, he rushed for 468 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 210 receiving yards and a touchdown catch. Hunt was a free agent this offseason.
Hunt watched Chubb's injury live on Monday Night Football and was gutted seeing that type of injury happen to his former teammate. In the days since, he briefly reached out to Chubb and talked with him.
"I just said my quick words to him," Hunt said. "Just I'm praying for him and praying for a strong recovery, and I told him he'll be back, man. He's the greatest. He's a great one. So, he'll be back."
RB Kareem Hunt is returning to the Browns, who played four seasons in Cleveland beginning in 2019. In 2022 with the Browns, Hunt rushed for 468 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 210 receiving yards and a touchdown catch. Hunt was a free agent this offseason.
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) and Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during practice on November 6, 2019.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL Monday Night Football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 14, 2020 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 47-42.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns game on November 14, 2019 at First Energy Stadium.
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers game on December 1, 2019 at Heinz Field.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) and Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during practice on November 21, 2019.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants on December 20, 2020 on Sunday Night Football at MetLife Stadium. The Browns won 20-6.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14 - 37.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers on October 10, 2021 at SoFi Stadium. The Browns lost 42-47.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 12, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24-22.
Stadium Banner Photoshoot on June 13, 2022.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens on October 23, 2022 at M&T Bank Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals game on December 15, 2019 at State Farm Stadium.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns on October 17, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 14 - 37.
2020 Media Day
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys on October 4, 2020 at AT&T Stadium. The Browns won 49 - 38.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) and Running back Kareem Hunt (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Carolina Panthers on September 11, 2022 at Bank of America Stadium. The Browns won 26-24.
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during the eleventh day of training camp on August 5, 2019.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) and Running back Kareem Hunt (27) before a NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football on September 22, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 29-17.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) and Running back Nick Chubb (24) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on December 9, 2022.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns on November 27, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 23-17.
Running back Nick Chubb (24) and Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons on October 2, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Browns lost 20-23.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football on October 31, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-32.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) before a NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns on December 24, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns lost 10-17.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 17, 2022 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 13-3.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) and Running back Nick Chubb (24) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Houston Texans on December 4, 2022 at NRG Stadium. The Browns won 27-14.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins on November 13, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium. The Browns lost 17-39.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) and Running back Nick Chubb (24) speak to the media during open locker room at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 14, 2022.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers on January 8, 2023 at Acrisure Stadium. The Browns lost 14-28.
Running back Kareem Hunt (27) during a NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns on December 12, 2021 at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Browns won 24-22.
Now, Hunt is focused on his opportunity in Cleveland and is excited to be back in the same building once again. Hunt praised both the Browns offense and the defense and was enthusiastic about the potential they have to put it all together and work towards their goals as a team.
"I came ready to play and win," Hunt said. "I'm just ready to go out there and showcase my talent. I know what I bring to the table when I play the game of football, so I'm excited."
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said he watched Hunt's workout on Tuesday at the Browns' facility, and thought Hunt was in good shape. They will use this week of practices to prepare Hunt to be in football shape.
Hunt has a familiarity with the Browns offense from his previous time in Cleveland, which Stefanski said factored into the decision to add Hunt. It also helped Stefanski feel that Hunt was a solid fit for what the Browns are trying to do offensively. Hunt knows a bit of the playbook and picks up information quickly, which can allow him to make the transition to the new elements of the Browns offense.
"I think Kareem, first day in the building, kind of a different first day because he's been here before, but he's really working hard to make sure he can catch up," Stefanski said. "And then I think the young guys will watch how Kareem works at practice, in particular in the games. He practices hard, he plays hard."
There's also Stefanski's familiarity with Hunt's ability, and the different run and pass types that he excels in. He brings different elements of his game in his running style. Stefanski described Hunt as a physical runner, with a slashing style who excels at catching the football.
Stefanski said Hunt brings a balanced skill set to their running backs, especially with their two second-year players in Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. Hunt believes that he and Ford can pair well together in the backfield with how they can wear down defenses and break runs.
However, Stefanski reiterated on Wednesday that Ford would still be the lead back for the Browns.
"We have to work through all of those type of things and what Kareem's ready to do this week if he's ready to go this week, and what type of load he can carry and Pierre Strong," Stefanski said. "So, I think we need to work through all of that. But yes, Jerome is the starter."
Stefanski said there is a chance that Hunt could play in the Browns game on Sunday against the Titans. He wants to see how the remainder of the week plays out, but Stefanski has not ruled the possibility out.
Whether or not Hunt takes the field on Sunday, having Hunt's presence in the locker room and on the sideline, paired with his talent as a running back, can give the Browns a bit of a morale boost.
"When you have a Kareem Hunt, a guy like that who's been in our system, been in Cleveland, as a Brown through and through, he understands what we need," Walker said. "His energy. He's a boost of energy. As soon as he walked through the door, a lot of guys got excited when they saw him, so you never take that for granted. Man, a great teammate. Obviously, a great runner, great catcher out the backfield. He's definitely going to help us in a huge way this year. Like I said, you can't replace a Nick Chubb, but we can start to fill those shoes with Kareem Hunt and the rest of that room."
