AUGUST 9: Adding further to Russini’s report, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com tweets that guaranteed money represented the difference in New Orleans’ and Indianapolis’ offers. The Saints backloaded their proposal with incentives, while keeping the total amount roughly on par with what the Colts are prepared to pay. With more money (and, potentially, playing time) available up front, it comes as little surprise that Hunt will at least consider a deal in Indianapolis.
AUGUST 8: Kareem Hunt‘s late-summer free agency tour will include a stop in Indianapolis. The Colts are set to meet with the former rushing champion Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
Although Hunt enjoyed a “great” Saints visit, he will make a trip to meet with a team that features a greater running back need. The Colts remain without Jonathan Taylor, have lost backup Zack Moss to a broken arm, and fellow reserve Deon Jackson is also dealing with an unspecified injury.
Just ahead of Hunt’s Saints workout, per ESPN’s Dianna Russini (on Twitter), the Colts contacted him with what is believed to be a better offer. It is unclear what Indianapolis is proposing, but the six-year veteran will meet with the team to determine a fit.
Indianapolis has already signed Kenyan Drake. Hunt would represent another veteran option for the suddenly RB-deficient outfit. While Hunt arrived as a Chiefs draft pick months after Chris Ballard had joined the Colts as GM, the latter was with Kansas City in the months leading up to the 2017 offseason.
Hunt, who turned 28 on Sunday, played out a two-year, $12MM Browns deal. The former Pro Bowler did not miss any games last season but did not enjoy a particularly productive campaign. This and the running back market’s myriad obstacles have impacted Hunt’s 2023 value. After teams expressed trade interest in the former third-round pick before last year’s deadline, Hunt now looms as an emergency depth option midway through training camp.
Operating again as Nick Chubb‘s backup, Hunt totaled just 678 scrimmage yards. He averaged a career-low 3.8 per carry. This came after the Cleveland-area native finished with a 4.9-yard average in 2021. Teams are determining how much tread Hunt has left on his tires. He has only logged 1,106 career touches — far less than fellow UFAs Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook — but he was less productive than either ex-NFCer in 2022.
The Colts have seen Jonathan Taylor request a trade and now leave camp for rehab purposes on a slow-healing ankle. Rumored to be using this ankle recovery as a hold-in excuse, Taylor has since left Colts camp to go through additional rehab more than six months after undergoing what was thought to be a minor surgery. The Colts will be without Moss until at least Week 1. While a Taylor trade is not expected, the Colts are digging into an insurance option.
A backfield housing Taylor, Hunt, Drake and Moss would seemingly be untenable for Indianapolis, which may factor into Hunt’s free agency decision — assuming he is weighing more than one offer. For now, however, the Colts are in need. At full strength, the Saints are also sporting a crowded RB corps. Alvin Kamara will be eligible to return in October, and the team signed Jamaal Williams and drafted Kendre Miller in Round 3.
To quote Nelson Muntz “The HUNT is on!”
Put the Kareem in the coffee
Hunt and Jamaal Williams would play similar roles in New Orleans, I have to imagine Hunt will get more playtime with the Colts if JT is not going to play. Hunt will have to hit milestones to earn the incentives for the same money Indy is offering upfront. The Colts seem like the better opportunity.
The Colts look a train wreck about to happen to me. Irsay’s meddling will have the same effect or worse than what happened with the Titans when Amy Adams decided to play boss lady.
Don’t get me wrong the Colts are a tire fire, I think Irsay should sell the team personally. I was just saying as far as reps and playtime Indy would be a better place for Hunt to go considering the money is upfront. Colts are going to be bad this year but someone needs to be on the field. Hunt would get a full 17 games if JT is not playing, were as the Saints are offering him a smaller role it seems, that’s why the deal is laced with incentives (they will not let him get enough touches to reach those milestones).
I’m not sure Irsay “meddles” much more than other owners. He just doesn’t do or say anything behind closed doors like he should. I’m sure there a few owners who are only visible on Sundays in their suite, but many are known to have input on team decisions, meet with players, etc.
I think Al Davis was the only owner who could meddle and actually achieve positive results. You would think owners would learn from the mistakes their peers make but that rarely seems to be the case.
Don’t forget Jerry. You rarely hear McCarthy ever give quotes. It’s always Jerry talking. With teams being bought by corporate types with investors I think we’ll see less of owners being publicly involved with anything. Jim Irsay isn’t a businessman, he inherited the team from his daddy like Mark Davis did. Both Jim and Mark are probably the most poor NFL owners. I think that’s why Mark Davis sold some interst in the Raiders to TB12, he needed some cash.
Same thing with the Bengals when Mike Brown sold the naming rights to the stadium. The city wanted to do that for years but he balked. Now with so much guaranteed money and bonuses, the teams need to have that money in escrow.
always Jerry talking…always Jerry talking…always Jerry talking. They really need to get him on some meds that will stop his endless babbling.