NBC Sports Floats Kareem Hunt as Broncos' Free-Agent Target
Outside of what GM George Paton and the Denver Broncos do to add talent to the offensive and defensive line this offseason, no other position is as intriguing as that of running back.
With Paton at the podium at the NFL Combine last week, Broncos Country received some clarity regarding young, exciting talent Javonte Williams and the significant knee injury he suffered early last season.
After tearing multiple ligaments in his right knee in Denver’s 32-23 Week 5 loss at Las Vegas, many around the NFL were surprised to hear Paton state that the team expects Williams to be back and ready to play Week 1 next season.
With Paton revealing that Williams is already jogging and is “on track,” Broncos Country likely had some nerves put at ease regarding the young player and a rather significant injury. Unfortunately, according to NBC Sports' fantasy football analyst Matthew Berry, Broncos fans should not count on Williams to return to form in 2023.
The most fascinating nugget about Denver (and possibly of the whole combine) was about Javonte Williams' health and I'm told there is a VERY wide range of possibilities regarding his return. There is a chance he is healthy to start the year. There is a chance he misses multiple games. And there is actually a chance he misses all of next year. I was told he is currently a lot more hurt than the team is letting on publicly and that the Broncos are secretly nervous. Don't be surprised if the Broncos wind up with Kareem Hunt when all is said and done. Mike Boone is likely gone but Latavius Murray is expected to be back and be in the “Mark Ingram” role for Sean Payton. But Hunt, who is not expected to be back in Cleveland, is said to be a target for Denver. If Hunt winds up in Denver, my source said, you'll know Javonte Williams' injury is a lot worse than they are letting on.
While Denver still (currently) has Chase Edmonds under contract along with second-year back Tyler Badie, the team is thin at the position. The Broncos could bring back Murray in that “Ingram" but don’t expect that to be Denver’s only move in free agency at the position.
Barry goes on to link Hunt, a former Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns running back, to Denver, going as far as stating he wouldn’t be surprised if he winds up a Bronco when the dust settles in free agency. Hunt does make sense for the Broncos this cycle.
Given that he has proven to be a solid weapon in the passing game out of the backfield and highly reliable in holding onto the football, Hunt could be an excellent running back option if Williams is set to miss time or not be near 100% next season. Furthermore, the Broncos’ new running back coach Lou Ayeni was Hunt’s running back coach in college at the University of Toledo.
Hunt does come with off-the-field baggage following an altercation in which Hunt assaulted a 19-year-old female in Cleveland. Hunt was suspended for eight games and released by the Chiefs following the release of this video and the league’s investigation into the matter. While this occurred in 2018, one cannot discuss Hunt without also discussing the assault that occurred.
The Broncos are likely to make some move at running back in free agency regardless of Williams’ prognosis with his knee. Denver have to be comfortable with Hunt’s past altercation to pursue him, but from an on-the-field perspective and connections with the team, it does make sense for Denver to sign him if Williams’ injury is far worse than the team has been letting on.
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