Philadelphia Eagles: Don’t count on a Kareem Hunt trade

As the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns engage in joint practices this week, the Browns have been simultaneously involved in rumors surrounding running back Kareem Hunt. The former back for Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs requested a trade back nearly two weeks ago.

Since that trade request — and well before also — the Philadelphia Eagles have been speculated to be a potential destination for the disgruntled player. Previous rumors even suggested the Eagles sending Andre Dillard and draft compensation to Cleveland in the deal — a concept no doubt created with a Browns bias.

In theory, a trade for a running back does make sense for Philadelphia. Boston Scott is just now returning from a concussion, Kenneth Gainwell has failed to assert himself this preseason, and Miles Sanders is hurt yet again. Making an addition to the running backs room is not an overtly crazed idea. That addition just will not be Kareem Hunt in all likelihood.

Don’t expect the Philadelphia Eagles to trade for Browns RB Kareem Hunt.

There has been no substantial connection between the Eagles and Hunt beyond speculative logic, and that’s likely how it will remain in Cleveland as, according to Mary Kay Cabot, the team will not move Hunt despite his trade request.

It’s not overly surprising that Cleveland would prefer to hang onto the talented back as opposed to dealing him simply for a fifth-round pick — his trade value according to PFF. With Deshaun Watson suspended for the first 11 games of the season, the Browns will rely heavily on star running back Nick Chubb and, thus, on Kareem Hunt to help maintain that load until Watson returns.

Also working against Hunt is that if he does remain in Cleveland and plays his way into free agency next season, the Browns will receive a compensatory pick should he find a new team. At that point, why trade him when you could receive a similar pick and also have the benefit of his talent this season?

There just doesn’t appear to be a clear path for Hunt to Philly, and that’s more than okay. Despite the unlikely chance of adding Kareem Hunt, it’s entirely possible that the Philadelphia Eagles could target a running back in the trade market this season. It is, however, more likely that they do so a bit closer to the trade deadline.

For now, the Eagles will ride into the regular season comfortable with their running back committee though that could easily change by November 1st (the trade deadline). Instead of Kareem Hunt, the team could pursue names like Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris, or Ronald Jones II.