Browns' upcoming free agent: 'It's Cleveland until I die'

The Browns' 2023 season came to an abrupt halt after falling to the Texans 45-14 in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Now the focus turns to the future, which has one of Cleveland's top upcoming free agents hoping he can return in 2024.

"This is always home for me. It's Cleveland until I die," veteran RB Kareem Hunt said. "Ain't closing no doors or nothing like that, but I always consider being in Cleveland over anything. It's my home and always will be."

Hunt wasn't on the Browns' initial 53-man roster but following RB Nick Chubb's season-ending knee injury in Week 2, a reunion made too much sense.

The 28-year-old made the most of his opportunity, rushing for 411 yards and a team-leading nine touchdowns.

However, head coach Kevin Stefanski has since told reporters that Chubb is "progressing well" in his recovery, meaning Hunt's future in Cleveland is up in the air once again.

"I'm so appreciative of him and the way he played and the style with which he played. Obviously pre-injury to Nick, we didn't have a spot, but to Kareem's credit, he stayed in great shape," Stefanski said. "So he provided huge, huge value for us."

Whether Hunt's value will remain once Chubb is fully healthy is known only by Stefanski and his coaching staff. But he shouldn't cost too much to keep if the Browns decide to bring him back.

According to Spotrac, Hunt earned himself a two-year, $9.08 million contract this offseason.

Hunt will likely have a few teams interested in his services in 2024, but if Cleveland isn't one of them, he said he'll never stop rooting for the team he's called home for five years.

"It's my ultimate hope no matter what, even if I'm playing for another team or anything, I would always be happy and satisfied if they bring a championship to Cleveland," Hunt added. "Shoot, I'd probably be at the parade cheering them on too, if that was to happen. I wish nothing but the best for the organization and the Cleveland Browns and I'm happy that I got to be a part of this journey for so long."