With the decision to sign Kareem Hunt to a contract extension, the Cleveland Browns show that they still lack culture and accountability.
There was an important step that the Cleveland Browns skipped when they were rebuilding the team and it is not something that can be easily done like flipping a light-switch. The all too important step of building a foundation of culture and accountability. This step was skipped as the team was looking to rush their rebuild and become competitive after two decades of terrible football. The team does not have either and the latest decision to sign Kareem Hunt to a contract extension shows that even though the front office and coaching staff may have changed that things remain the same.
In case everybody forgot Kareem Hunt does not necessarily have a saintlike past. Hunt was released by the Kansas City Chiefs after a violent altercation with a woman that took place at a Cleveland hotel. Hunt’s issues did not stop there as various other incidents came to light. The latest incident being pulled over in Rocky River while in possession of marijuana. This was the moment to take a step in the right direction. Parting ways with Kareem Hunt would have shown that the organization is finally holding people accountable for their actions. Instead, the Browns decided to go in the opposite direction which is why they are still the Browns. A smart organization would recognize that keeping someone like Hunt in their locker room permits bad behavior from others and that they would be better off without him.
This is not about the skill level or talent of someone like Kareem Hunt. It is about building a foundation for long term success by establishing a culture and holding players accountable. By keeping and subsequently extending Hunt they are doing neither. This organization may have an Ivy League pedigree, but that doesn’t mean they understand the intangible aspects of building a football team.
