Kareem Hunt Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

A new team is reportedly interested in RB Kareem Hunt

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 6/16/23

Although the Washington Commanders have six running backs on their roster, that isn’t stopping the coaching staff from looking to upgrade at the position.

According to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the Commanders are showing interest in former Cleveland Browns RB Kareem Hunt, who, if signed, could likely compete with Brian Robinson Jr. and Antonio Gibson to be one of Washington’s top two backs.

Despite rushing for 1,037 yards in 2021, Gibson saw his carries decrease by 109 with the addition of Robinson Jr., who received a lot of preseason hype as a rookie but averaged just 3.9 yards per carry and totaled 797 yards in 12 games.

Washington has had just five 1,000-yard rushers since 2010.

The 27-year-old Hunt started just nine games over the last four seasons with the Browns, rushing for 1,874 yards and 16 touchdowns on 442 carries while splitting time with Nick Chubb.

On @JosinaAnderson reporting that #Commanders have inquired on FA back Kareem Hunt:

Eric Bieniemy was RBs coach in KC when Hunt ran for 1,327 yds and caught 53 passes as a rookie. EB was the OC the following year when Hunt tallied 1,202 combined yards rushing and receiving.
— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) June 16, 2023

Should the Commanders sign Hunt, he would be reunited with former running backs coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, with whom he rushed for an NFL-leading 1,327 yards as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017. Hunt, who topped 1,200 yards from scrimmage and 11 or more touchdowns in both seasons with the Chiefs, hasn’t rushed for 1,000 yards or had more than 200 carries in a season since he left for Cleveland.

The market for running backs has been notoriously frugal since the season ended with the top two backs, Miles Sanders and David Montgomery, signing for $6.25 million and $6 million per year, respectively. Hunt, who’s coming off a two-year, $12 million deal with the Browns, will likely be searching for a similar contract.

More must-reads: