More Kareem Hunt the best and most plausible fix for Browns' ailing offense

Running back Kareem Hunt is the key to unlocking the Browns’ stagnant offense, and quarterback Baker Mayfield’s fumble on Nov. 28 at Baltimore encapsulated the reasons why.

The play received plenty of attention after a 16-10 loss at M&T Bank Stadium dropped the underachieving Browns to 6-6, largely for its reflection on Mayfield’s regression this season.

But it also illustrated the split-second missteps that have led to the Browns scoring 17 or fewer points in six of their last seven games.

Trailing 6-3 with 53 seconds left in the first half, the Browns faced second-and-10 from the Ravens 28. As Hunt went out for a screen pass, he ran up on the back of center JC Tretter as he tried to slip through the line, slowing Hunt slightly. That forced Mayfield to pump fake to buy time, as guards Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio hustled into the right flat to block for Hunt.

As Mayfield pumped, the ball slipped out of his hands.

Hunt agreed Monday that was a perfect example of the little things the Browns have to clean up, with attention to detail being mentioned by coach Kevin Stefanski and his players for the past two months.

The play should have gone for a significant gain, if not a touchdown. Hunt knows the time it took him to get around Tretter likely cost the Browns points.

“Yeah, I think that could have been a little bit of the reason. I feel like I’ve got to ... try to find a way to get out a little quicker maybe,” Hunt said. “We’ve got to learn from that and next time it’s going to be a good one.

“We’ve got to detail our work. It takes 11 men on the field to make a play successful.”

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The Browns still have a chance to make the playoffs, with Sunday’s home rematch against the AFC North-leading Ravens (8-4) providing a critical challenge. Last weekend’s results and injuries suffered by future foes further jumbled the conference picture for seven playoff qualifiers, including three wild cards.

While the Browns rested and recharged, Stefanski and his staff dug into the Browns’ issues in all three phases.

“You dissect it every which way. You look at it from schematic angles. You look at it from personnel angles, play-calling, and certain decisions we make,” Stefanski said.

“You just look at all of it and say, ‘What are we doing? What is working?’

“We need to produce on offense and, very simply, we need to score points. We really do try to look at every avenue, things that we have done, and maybe things that we really have not done. You do need to look at all of them, push it in the middle of the table, have that conversation, and see what sticks.”

What can stick on offense is limited by a number of factors.

• Mayfield is dealing with multiple injuries, most significantly a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

• Five-time Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry has a bad knee.

• Tight end Harrison Bryant suffered a high ankle sprain against the Ravens, which may prompt Stefanski to ditch the 13 personnel package he heavily relies on.

• Receivers can’t get open.

• The Browns’ rushing attack is tied for third-best in the league, but Mayfield’s ineffectiveness has prompted opponents to stack the box to stop two-time Pro Bowler Nick Chubb and Hunt.

• Right tackle Jack Conklin tore the patellar tendon in his right knee against the Ravens, and Stefanski did not endorse current sixth man Blake Hance, a natural guard, as his replacement.

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All that considered, an increased role for Hunt would provide the best and most plausible jolt for the Browns offense.

It could mean using Chubb and Hunt on the field together, which Stefanski said Monday they have talked about.

It could mean more targets for Hunt, a third-down fixture who has 20 receptions (fourth on the team), nine for first downs. He has totaled 161 receiving yards, 171 after the catch, because of his use on swing passes out of the backfield.

Although the Browns’ scoring deficiencies first arose in a 14-7 victory at Minnesota on Oct. 3, the downward spiral gained steam in a 37-14 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 17. That’s when Hunt was carted off with a right calf strain that landed him on injured reserve for five games.

Hunt was not on the field in the final two minutes at Baltimore, when Stefanski said Hunt’s calf tightened, but Hunt said he spent the bye week getting extensive treatment.

Asked if he’s ready to handle an increased workload, Hunt said, “I believe so for sure. Definitely, that’s the plan.”

Stefanski may have hesitated to play Chubb and Hunt together, preferring to use Hunt to spell Chubb and save him for the fourth quarter to put games away. But Hunt sees no downside to lining up with Chubb more.

“I would love it,” Hunt said. “That’s up to the coaches. "The pros and the cons, there’s really none; it’s only pros, I think. It would be a good thing.”

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The 2017 NFL rushing champion as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hunt has been described by his coaches and teammates as the “Tasmanian Devil” and a “Swiss Army knife” because of his multiple talents and willingness to sacrifice his body on every snap. When Mayfield hurt his shoulder in Week 2 trying to bring down a defender after an interception, Hunt told Mayfield to let him make the tackle next time.

A Willoughby South High School product, Hunt watched the Browns struggle as a kid and is motivated to help the franchise restore its long-lost glory. The first step was an 11-5 season in 2020, when the Browns reached the playoffs for the first time since 2002 and won their first postseason game since Jan. 1, 1995. Now with the Browns struggling, Hunt's infectious energy and fire have never been more needed.

Asked if he is anxious to get the receiving part of his game going, Hunt said, “Most definitely. However they decide to use me, I’m going to try to take advantage of it and make the plays in the big times.”

If the Browns can get back on track, their final five games could bring plenty of “big times.” But injury limitations make a major offensive bye-week revamp unlikely, if not impossible.

Best to put their fate — and their faith — in the hands of the Tasmanian Devil and let him fly.

Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/browns. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MRidenourABJ.

Ravens at Browns

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TV: CBS

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Increased load for Kareem Hunt best fix for Cleveland Browns offense