The Arizona Cardinals will likely be in the market for a veteran running back. After signing Marlon Mack last week, he suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the entire season.
What is next?
A quality back with connections to the team is still available.
Former Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt, despite recent visits with the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, is still a free agent.
He left both teams without an agreement, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Kareem Hunt is leaving Indianapolis without a deal, per source. Offer was made by the Colts. Unable to reach an agreement. Continued interest from other teams.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 9, 2023
The Colts made him an offer but could not reach an agreement.
Hunt knows Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Petzing was on the Browns’ staff from 2020-2022. Hunt played for Cleveland from 2019-2022.
Hunt rushed for 468 yards and three touchdowns in a backup role to Nick Chubb for the Browns in 2022.
Pelissero says there is still plenty of interest in Hunt around the league.
The Cardinals viably could be one of those teams, although it would depend on Hunt’s price tag.
Mack was signed to a league-minimum contract. If Hunt were willing to take that, he likely would have already signed with a team.
So we will wait and see.
Are the Cardinals one of the interested teams? It would make sense.
They plan on having potentially a run-heavy offense. Starter James Conner does not have a history of great durability and no one else on the roster is a proven back in the league. Hunt’s production and connection to Petzing makes him a seemingly clear option.
However, if the Cardinals are not looking to pay a backup running back more than the league minimum, Hunt probably will not end up getting a call.
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