Report: Kareem Hunt Leaves New Orleans Without A Deal, Headed To Meet Indy
"Free agent Kareem Hunt had a great visit with the Saints and is now on his way to Indianapolis to meet with the Colts tomorrow," according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. ESPN's Diana Russini reported that RB Kareem Hunt and LB Anthony Barr were expected to sign deals with New Orleans. Both players had positive meetings with the Saints but will still field calls and visit other NFL teams. Update: 3:01 PM CT
The New Orleans Saints are signing free-agent RB Kareem Hunt, according to a Tuesday report from ESPN NFL Insider Diana Russini. New Orleans is also signing former Minnesota Vikings LB Anthony Barr, according to Russini. The official results of both moves are pending the results of a physical.
Hunt was brought in for a workout by the Saints on Monday, as reported by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN and confirmed by Saints News Network's John Hendrix. Hendrix and I have recommended Hunt as a strong candidate for backfield depth multiple times this offseason.
Alvin Kamara is serving a three-game suspension to start the year, and Eno Benjamin was lost for the season with an Achilles injury. With those losses, backfield depth became more imperative. Hunt's signing gives the Saints a quality trio of running backs with off-season additions Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller.
Hunt, 28, rushed for 468 yards and three scores while averaging 3.8 per carry as a backup for the Cleveland Browns last season. He also caught 35 passes for 210 yards and another score. Hunt has 4,025 rushing yards in six NFL seasons and 31 touchdowns with 211 receptions for 1,806 yards and 17 touchdowns.
A third-round choice in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Toledo by the Kansas City Chiefs, Hunt played his first two seasons with the Chiefs. He led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards as a rookie, earning a Pro Bowl bid. It was the only 1,000-yard campaign and Pro Bowl berth of his career. After 824 yards on the ground in 11 games with the Chiefs in 2018, Hunt was released by the team before the end of the year amid assault allegations with video evidence.
Following his release, Hunt was picked up by the Browns during the 2019 offseason, where he's remained for the last four years. In shared backfield duties with Cleveland, Hunt had 1,874 rushing yards and 132 receptions for 973 yards while scoring 17 total touchdowns. He has eight career 100-yard outings on the ground despite starting just two games in the last two years.
Sep 22, 2022; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) runs past Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Chris Wormley (95). Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
At 5'11" and 216 lbs., Hunt has terrific power between the tackles, an area where the Saints have struggled in recent seasons. He's also an outstanding receiver out of the backfield, especially on screens and check-down passes. Hunt was a teammate of new Saints DT Khalen Saunders during his first two years in Kansas City. Current Saints defensive coordinator Joe Woods served in that same capacity with Cleveland during Hunt's last three seasons.
Despite possessing the attributes of a featured back, Hunt has also been a very unselfish player. His playing time diminished over the last few years behind elite Cleveland RB Nick Chubb. The rusher appeared in 42% of the Browns' offensive snaps in 2022, the lowest percentage of his career. Kareem Hunt will once again be asked to play a secondary role for New Orleans. Even with Kamara suspended, most of the backfield touches will presumably go to Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller. However, Hunt adds valuable power, receiving ability, and experience to a now-loaded New Orleans backfield.
