The Cleveland Browns, believe it or not, weren't the only NFL team to broach signing disgraced running back Kareem Hunt. Speaking with reporters at the NFL combine on Wednesday, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace acknowledged his team discussed the possibility of bringing in the 2017 Pro Bowler, but never seriously considered doing so, per Chris Emma of The Score.
Ryan Pace said the Bears did discuss the possibility of signing Kareem Hunt but admitted the team never got serious from there.
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) February 27, 2019
Hunt signed with the Browns on February 11th, less than three months after he was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs for assaulting a woman in February of 2018. Security cameras recorded the former Toledo star and Northeast Ohio native shoving and kicking a young woman in the hallway of a Cleveland hotel, despite multiple people attempting to hold him back. Video of the incident first surfaced in late November, leading to his near-immediate dismissal from the Chiefs.
The NFL’s leading rusher and a Pro Bowler as a rookie, Hunt was in the midst of another stellar campaign when the recording of his assault was released, rushing for 824 yards and scoring 14 total touchdowns through 11 games played. Upon his signing by the Browns, Hunt said he “understands the expectations that the Browns have clearly laid out and that I have to earn my way back to the NFL.” The league's investigation into the matter is ongoing, though it seems likely the 23 year old will be suspended for at least a portion of the 2019 season.
Chicago, led by workhorse Jordan Howard and electric change-of-pace back Tarik Cohen, finished 11th in rushing last season under first-year coach Matt Nagy, who was with Kansas City during Hunt's rookie season.
