Cleveland Browns Player Shares How Love For City Played A Huge Role In Him Coming Back

Hurst spent four seasons in the NFL before joining the Cleveland Browns. He played three years with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders from 2018-2020 and then played a season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. 

Hurst missed all of 2022 with a torn bicep, so the Browns had no idea what they were getting when they signed him to a deal last year. What they ended up getting was a complete stud. 

The former Michigan standout played a massive role as a rotational defensive tackle. However, Hurst only played 13 games last season because a pectoral injury in Week 14 kept him out for the rest of the season. 

According to PFF, Hurst was ranked 13/130 defective tackles and finished 8/137 in run defense and 25/109 in pass rush. 

Hurst played a significant role in why Brown’s defense turned into one of the best units in the league last season, but he was entering free agency this offseason and decided to return to the team this week on a one-year deal. 

Hurst Loves Cleveland And Doesn’t Want To Go Anywhere

Hurst joined the local Cleveland sports radio station 92.3 The Fan, hosted by Nick Wilson, on its afternoon drive show. He discussed his time in Cleveland last season and stated, ” I just loved my time here this past season. I just loved it from the top down. It would be hard to see myself anywhere else right now. “

It’s fantastic to see a player fall in love with the city of Cleveland and the Browns organization. There was a time in years past when nobody wanted to play for the Browns because they couldn’t win and had a poor culture, but all of that has changed for the better now, and it’s nice to see players not wanting to find a way out. 

Hurst will have a tremendous 2024 season, and I’m happy he is wearing the Brown and Orange again this year.