A relationship of convenience?
The Browns lost the "engine" of their offense on Monday night, when running back Nick Chubb suffered a devastating knee injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Kevin Stefanski's offense flows through the backfield, with the heavy run and play-action designed requiring a lot from the running back room. That's why the Browns wasted no time admitting they needed another body in the room. Luckily for Cleveland, a familiar face was still available in free agency.
Kareem Hunt is back with the Browns, signing a one-year deal as Cleveland reunites with a player it tried to oust during the 2022 season. Hunt remained a free agent, and after a year that was light on production, gets an opportunity to make right for the 'Land.
MORE: How long is Nick Chubb out? Updates and more for Browns RB
The Browns, though, may not turn to Hunt to take the brunt of the carries in the backfield — that is according to Stefanski, at least. On Sept. 19, the Browns boss said that RB2 on the depth chart, Jerome Ford, would be the team's "feature back."
"He studies hard, knows what to do, runs hard, there's a reason we like him, there's a reason he's a big part of what we do, and obviously, his role will increase, and I think he's ready for that," Stefanski said.
He also would add that Ford is the team's "feature back," leading to some question of how Hunt will be used.
It's a fair question, especially considering Hunt's usage throughout his Browns career. Hunt has routinely played behind Chubb, and the snap shares through the years have been tilted pretty heavily in Chubb's favor.
Here's how they break down (playoff snaps included):
| Chubb snaps (Games played) | Year | Hunt snaps (Games played) |
| 336 (17) | 2022 | 157 (17) |
| 250 (14) | 2021 | 90 (8) |
| 241 (14) | 2020 | 237 (18) |
| 330 (16) | 2019* | 91 (8) |
*2019 season not under Kevin Stefanski
If the trend continues — and if Stefanski is honest about Ford's standing as RB1 — then expect Ford to get more snaps than Hunt, especially with the latter getting back into game shape.
Where Hunt will add value to the Browns offense is receiving out of the backfield. Hunt has traditionally been used as that receiving threat, generally equalling or outpacing Chubb's targets through the years.
Here's how the target share broke down over their four years together:
| Chubb targets/receptions | Year | Hunt targets/receptions |
| 33/27 | 2022 | 41/35 |
| 25/20 | 2021 | 25/22 |
| 27/22 | 2020 | 52/40 |
| 45/36 | 2019* | 43/37 |
*2019 season not under Kevin Stefanski
Obviously, the great unknown in this equation is just how well Ford will perform as a feature back. He played well in Week 2, rushing for 106 yards on 16 attempts (6.6 YPA), but didn't play as well in Week 1 vs. Cincinnati, averaging just 2.4 yards per attempt on 15 rushes.
Pierre Strong Jr. may also factor into the equation a bit more, but in the wake of Chubb's injury, there wasn't much movement on that front. Strong toted the rock just twice for a single yard in the matchup. He did rush for a touchdown in the matchup.
This is all to say, don't expect Hunt to walk right back into a big snap share right away.
Browns RB depth chart
With the Nick Chubb injury and the Kareem Hunt reunion, the Browns have three running backs on their active roster. After Hunt, neither has extensive experience:
1. Jerome Ford
2022 stats: 13 games (no starts), eight attempts, 12 yards, one touchdown.
Ford was a 2022 fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati (and Alabama), but he's been in limited game action since making the roster last year. Ford had 15 rushing attempts in Week 1 for 36 yards, good for 2.4 yards a carry.
While it's a small sample size, it's also not exactly RB1-type stuff. With the Browns angling for a playoff berth this year, they're going to need to shore up the room with Chubb on the shelf.
2. Kareem Hunt
2022 stats: 17 games (no starts), 123 attempts, 468 yards, three touchdowns.
Hunt and the Browns split following the 2022 season, this coming after trade rumors took place during the season. Instead, Hunt was released following the year and remained a free agent, with no bites on the bait until Chubb's injury.
Hunt spent his last four years in the Cleveland offense as part of the two-headed monster RBBC featuring Chubb. It's worth watching to see how Hunt will perform without his (literal) running mate in the backfield this season.
MORE: How Nick Chubb came back from a potentially career-altering knee injury in college
3. Pierre Strong Jr.
2022 stats: 15 games (no starts), 10 attempts, 100 yards, one touchdown.
Strong was a fourth-round pick of the Patriots in 2022 and dressed in 15 games for New England. He would only see action in eight of those games and put together 100 yards of rushing offense, with 142 yards of total offense.
Practice squad: Hassan Hall
2022 stats: N/A (Rookie)
Hall was an undrafted free agent signing out of Georgia Tech who landed on the Browns' practice squad. Hall put together 1,820 yards of rushing offense in five college seasons between Louisville and Georgia Tech.