Jul 28, 2022; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) runs with the ball during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Browns reportedly have 'no intention' of trading RB Kareem Hunt

The offense of the Cleveland Browns seemingly has more questions than answers hovering over it heading into the regular season. 

Starting quarterback Deshaun Watson was acquired by the Browns via a March trade with the Houston Texans but won't make his official Cleveland debut anytime soon, as he'll end August in the early days of an 11-game suspension related to allegations of sexual misconduct during massage sessions. Backup Jacoby Brissett is on track to start all of the contests Watson will miss but is, on paper, an underwhelming journeyman option at the sport's most important position. 

Meanwhile, Cleveland running back Kareem Hunt has been in headlines on multiple occasions since it was learned in June that he wants a contract extension either from the Browns or a different club. Hunt reportedly asked to be traded earlier this month but had that request denied, and some throughout NFL circles have continued to speculate that Cleveland could shop the 27-year-old before roster cuts must be made next week. 

One noteworthy Browns insider poured cold water over that theory on Wednesday. 

During an appearance on the "Pat McAfee Show," Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer made it clear the Browns want Hunt on their roster when they open the regular season at the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 11. 

"I think he’s gonna be a Brown the whole year," Cabot said of Hunt. "They have no intention of trading him. They do not want to do that. They believe that he can help this team win football games. He’s so good in the run, so good in the passing game. And especially with Deshaun out for the first 11 games of the season, they’re really gonna have to rely on that running game." 

Injury setbacks limited Hunt to just eight games last season, and he finished the campaign with 386 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 78 carries, along with 22 catches for 174 yards and zero receiving scores. 

Perhaps the Browns would be more open to trading Hunt this summer if they knew Watson would become eligible after even six games. That's not the case, and Brissett likely needs all the talented weapons possible as part of the offense if Cleveland is to flirt with obtaining a playoff berth by or on the evening of Jan. 8, 2023. 

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