Odds Say Browns Kareem Hunt Will Miss At Least First 4 Weeks of 2019

• Browns announce signing of Kareem Hunt, await his punishment from NFL
• Second-year pro cut from Chiefs after video shows him shoving, kicking woman
• When will running back make debut for Browns?

After a year of marching back to respectability built around Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett, and an assembly of likable young talent seemingly everyone was rooting for, the Cleveland Browns decided to wade into the other end of the pool.

BREAKING: #Browns sign RB Kareem Hunt.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 11, 2019

Less than four months after the Chiefs cut ties with Kareem Hunt after video footage showed him pushing down and then kicking a woman (no charges were ever laid), Cleveland signed the 2017 NFL rushing champion to a one-year deal.

This clearly wasn’t a surprise to anyone, as his return seemed inevitable.

The goal for RB Kareem Hunt was to sign before the investigation into his misconduct concludes. With Commissioner Roger Goodell saying it would be “soon” he was on the clock. Now, he goes back on the exempt list with the #Browns.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 11, 2019

The 23-year-old Hunt and the Browns are now waiting on the NFL’s punishment. It’s a decision that all parties are ready to accept, because once he serves his suspension, he’ll be cleared to play.

Sportsbooks have released odds on when they think Hunt will be back.

Odds When Kareem Hunt Plays His First Game

Odds taken 2/12.

NFL Under Spotlight with Hunt Decision

The NFL has had opportunities to make significant impact against players committing violent acts against women, and they have not come through in any way.

As the NFL investigates new domestic violence and assault cases, former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice is saying he wants to help.

Rice was cut in 2014 after hotel surveillance captured him punching his then fiancée. @CBSThisMorning co-anchor @GayleKing sits down with him pic.twitter.com/Fdff1ZVEmI

— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) December 18, 2018

Going back five years, they heard former Raven Ray Rice’s account of the assault of his then-fiancee in an elevator. Rice, cooperative and honest from the start, was suspended two games, then the horrific video of the incident surfaced. 

The NFL banned Rice indefinitely, unknowingly violating league rules by suspending a player for the same offense twice. Rice took them to court and won reinstatement back to the NFL – though no team has signed him since.

Whether it’s Rice, Greg Hardy, Reuben Foster or Josh Brown, it appears the league can’t find a uniform set of rules to administer in violent offenses by their players against women.

Statement from RB Kareem Hunt: pic.twitter.com/JPRFnkRdCy

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) February 11, 2019

In Cleveland’s situation, GM John Dorsey has taken a chance on one of his former draft picks and, while it is a controversial one, it’s one that more than a few teams reportedly would have made.

Since he was released by the #Chiefs, RB Kareem Hunt has done alcohol and anger management counseling. He’ll continue to do so. Hunt has had his meeting with NFL investigators regarding 3 incidents, and a suspension is coming. At the end of all that, he’ll play for the #Browns.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 11, 2019

For his part, Hunt seems to be taking steps in the right direction, claiming he’s working on being a better version of himself.

What’s the Best Bet Here?

This is one that the NFL can’t screw up, and because of that, it appears to me that Hunt won’t suit up with the Browns until after at least  eight weeks.

NEW VIDEO: the next shoe to drop in Kareem Hunt’s signing to a one-year deal by the Browns, @adamschefter told me during @sportscenter: Hunt is still facing an NFL suspension, possibly as much as ten games: pic.twitter.com/Ruh1rBP5f2

— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) February 12, 2019

From there, Hunt, who rushed for 1,327 yards and 8 touchdowns, to go along with 53 receptions for 455 yards and three TDs in his lone full season in the league, should have enough time to show the Browns that he can be a productive player, as he would become a restricted free agent with Cleveland able to match any offer he may want to sign.

He’ll be inserted into an extremely young and talented backfield that already includes promising second-year man Nick Chubb and change-of-pace guy Duke Johnson.

Disappointing, but here’s the reality of what’s happened: Hunt’s in his prime, so he gets a pass. On the flip side, Ray Rice was declining, so it was okay to “take a stand” w/ him. NFL only really cares if the player isn’t serviceable anymore.

— Al Sacco (@AlSacco49) February 11, 2019

Considering that many thought the NFL was a zero-tolerance policy league and Hunt’s career was finished at age 23, it’s a punishment he’s willing to take, no matter how long. Sadly, it’s also an indication that talent is forgivable in the NFL – like it’s always been.