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Did Browns make mistake not trading Kareem Hunt?
The Browns had an underwhelming 2022 season, finishing with a 7-10 record. And after trading a kings ransom for QB Deshaun Watson last offseason, should Cleveland regret not trading RB Kareem Hunt?
We'll find out what happens come free agency in March. But it's looking more and more like the Browns should have gotten what they could for Hunt when they had the chance.
Cleveland isn't scheduled to make its first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft until day two at No. 43, and then not again until pick No. 99.
Hunt will also reportedly only return to Cleveland on a cheap deal if no other team wants to pay him. He's projected to receive a two-year deal with an annual salary of about $7 million, according to Spotrac.
Trending: Pending FA RB Kareem Hunt will only return to the #Browns if it’s on a cheap deal and no other team wants to pay him, says @ScottPetrak
— JPA (@jasrifootball) January 30, 2023
The free agency market for running backs does seem to be crowded, giving hope to those who want Hunt to return. However, this list could shrink a lot between now and then if teams want to keep what's theirs.
A reminder of how stacked this RB free agency has the potential to be:
— JPA (@jasrifootball) January 31, 2023
- Saquon Barkley
- Tony Pollard
- David Montgomery
- Kareem Hunt
- Rashaad Penny
- Jamaal Williams
- Josh Jacobs
- D’Onta Foreman
- Miles Sanders
- Damien Harris
- James Robinson
- Alexander Mattison
Hunt, who tuns 28 in August, ran for 468 yards and three touchdowns this season. And likely next in line to replace him is RB Jerome Ford, who had just eight carries for 12 yards in 2022.
There have been rumors of Hunt getting traded for years and it never happened. Now he may be going out the door leaving the Browns empty handed.
More must-reads:
- Browns should select this speedy WR in 2023 NFL Draft
- The most significant NFL QB trades of all time
- The 'QBs and coaches from the 2002 NFL playoffs'
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Bears make big decision amid concerning Caleb Williams reports
Second-year Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and other starters were spectators for Chicago's preseason opener versus the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, first-year Bears head coach Ben Johnson confirmed things will be different when his club hosts the Buffalo Bills for an exhibition matchup this coming Sunday evening. "Everyone's going to play," Johnson said, as shared by Courtney Cronin of ESPN. Johnson added that how many snaps Williams will take versus the Bills is "to be determined." The Bears will first host the Bills for a joint practice on Friday. Johnson came to this decision following multiple reports detailing the supposed struggles that Williams has endured throughout training camp. Most recently, Monday’s practice was allegedly "a low point for" Chicago's first-team offense and featured "Williams and receiver Rome Odunze both looking frustrated" after some failed connections. "I've been pretty consistent with the thought of reps, reps, reps are the most important thing to get [Williams] up to speed," Johnson explained. "And by the plan that we had a week ago, we were able to get him probably somewhere between 80 and 100 more reps than we would've been able to do had he played in the game. This week, it's a different schedule. Different length of time in terms of in between games and all that. And so, our plan right now is the guys that sat out last week, they will be playing this week." Those running the Bears hope that the hiring of Johnson, an advertised offensive guru, will help Williams become a top-tier quarterback after the 23-year-old won only five of 17 starts during his rookie season. However, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic is among those who have mentioned that Williams has been responsible for a noteworthy number of inaccurate passes this summer. "I think the trust that we've been talking about from the get-go, that's really where that comes into play," Johnson added about risking the health of his starters by playing them against Buffalo. "We haven't been here with this group as a coaching staff. That trust has been earning, and we've been developing that amongst each other. It's not a one-way street. It goes both ways. And so I think that's just another step in the progression, you know?" The Bears will wrap up the preseason with a game at the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 22. It's unclear if Williams or other Chicago starters will see any action that Friday night.
Steelers Make Strange Change to Depth Chart
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released their second depth chart of the preseason, and it includes quite an interesting development as it pertains to the offensive line. 2024 first-round pick Troy Fautanu, as expected, remains the starter at right tackle, but three-time Pro Bowler Andrus Peat has slotted in as the second-string option at the position. Peat signed a one-year deal with the Steelers last week as the team looked to bolster their depth up front. The fact that he's rather far up the depth chart isn't the surprising part, though: it's his position. Throughout his 10-year career, Pro Football Focus has charted Peat as lining up at right tackle for just 78 snaps, with all of them coming during his rookie season with the New Orleans Saints in 2015. The 31-year-old has primarily played left guard, logging 4,469 total reps there according to PFF, and he was among the league's top interior linemen during his prime. Peat's racked up 1,959 reps at left tackle, meaning he's not a stranger to the tackle position, but switching sides takes some time to get used to. After joining the Steelers last week, he told reporters that he's ready to work on adapting to right tackle and will play there if the team needs him to. “It’s definitely something you gotta work on, especially if you’ve played there your whole career,” Peat said. “But I feel like if I needed to, I could play on the right.” Peat got plenty of playing time during Pittsburgh's preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars last Saturday, recording 21 snaps at left tackle and allowing a pressure. With some lingering concerns regarding Broderick Jones' performance and the health of Fautanu after dislocating his kneecap early in his rookie year, adding Peat to the mix was a sensible move for the Steelers. It's certainly interesting that he's listed as the top backup at right tackle considering he has almost zero prior professional experience there, but as a veteran with an impressive track record in the NFL, it appears Pittsburgh is confident that Peat can learn quickly and become a quality reserve option at the position.
Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice
Defense ruled the day during the joint practice between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots defense did a masterful job of disrupting Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Wednesday's practice. However, New England's offensive line was unable to allow Drake Maye to have enough time to finish plays. "Even with four new expected starters up front following last year’s debacle, Wednesday suggested that there will likely be some bumps ahead for this offensive line," Graff wrote. "Sure, going up against the Vikings was always going to be a difficult task. Greenard has been wrecking his own team’s practices in training camp, and everyone in New England knows how good Flores’ scheme can be. But the domination was so thorough by the Vikings’ front seven that three straight plays at one point would’ve resulted in a sack." Maye showed flashes of promise when he had time to throw downfield or was able to use his legs to buy time or scramble when pressure came. The concern is that the offensive line won't allow Maye enough time to even scramble, so he can make throws. Graff has noticed the same issues that happened on Wednesday have been a constant at training camp against the Patriots defense. With a new-look offensive line that includes first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle, the Patriots are expected to have some bumps at training camp and in September. New England's offense probably won't look great out of the gate while the offensive line develops in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme. If and when the offensive line improves, Maye will have a chance to show off the arm that made him the No. 3 pick in 2024. For now, the offensive line is a concern much like it was last season.
The 'Super Bowl winning coaches since 2000' quiz
Happy 64th birthday to former Houston Texans and Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak! Kubiak was the second head coach in Texans history, going 61-64 in eight seasons before joining the Denver Broncos for the 2015 season. He took over a team with Peyton Manning, Demariyus Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders on offense and DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller on defense. The result was a victory over Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, which was the last playoff appearance for Denver until 2024-25. Which brings us to today’s quiz. Kubiak is one 18 different head coaches to lift the Lombardi Trophy since Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. How many of those coaches can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
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