Calling a bluff

(The following piece updates the original version of the Kareem Hunt situation).

If it isn't one thing, it's another at Browns training camp this season. 

First, it's the seemingly never-ending Deshaun Watson saga. Then the wide receivers room becomes a M*A*S*H unit early on when establishing timing in the passing game is so important. Now comes the news running back Kareem Hunt has given the front office an ultimatum.

Pay me or trade me, he sort of demanded in the midst of training camp in Berea. The Browns responded with a firm no and no. The Cleveland-area native is in the final year of a contract worth up to $6.75 million. And they say they are unwilling to trade him.

Hunt, who did only individual drills the last few days as protest, apparently changed his mind Sunday and was a full participant in team drills. The Browns basically called his bluff.

The original sticking point is Hunt, who had never before sat out games due to injury in his five-year National Football League career, missed nine games last season with ankle and calf problems. That worried the club. When healthy enough to play, though, he contributed 502 running and receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Hunt pronounced himself 100% healthy entering camp. At 27, he is the middle of his prime years. The Browns are saying in essence prove it and you will be compensated. Not sure why. He is not just your below-average player who needs to keep proving himself. He's better than that. A lot better.

His résumé suggests he is still among the best running backs in the National Football League even though he does not start. He led the league in rushing as a rookie with Kansas City in 2017 and made the Pro Bowl. He unfortunately now plays for the same team as the peerless Nick Chubb. 

Is there any question Hunt is the Browns' best all-around running back? He is not quite -- but very close to being -- as dangerous out of the backfield as a runner as Chubb. But he is unquestionably the most reliable receiver in the passing game except for maybe wideout Amari Cooper. His versatility knows no bounds.

A leading candidate for the camp's bad timing award, Hunt is not disgruntled with where he is and by whom he is getting paid. He loves playing for his hometown team, which picked him up as a free agent when the Chiefs cut him after getting caught lying about serious off-the-field behavior problems.

When he and Chubb suit up, the Browns are 13-6. When only one or neither play, they are 6-8. Stats like that speak volumes. In a game where wins and losses are the prevailing statistic, why don't the two sides sit down and try to work things out. Rhetorical question.

Hunt says he wants to continue play for the Browns and finish his career in Cleveland. At the same, he says is willing to continue his career elsewhere if the Browns choose not to accommodate him satisfactorily. 

Failing for a couple of days to not take part in team drills had to have ticked off head coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Andrew Berry. Stefanski has too much to be concerned with to bother answering questions about Hunt. The only way Berry responded was by messing with Hunt's paycheck on a daily basis. 

Stefanski's reply apparently resonated with Hunt, who acquiesced and resumed team drills Sunday and Berry's financial response was halted after just two days. From a harmonious team standpoint, it's a situation that was not allowed to fester. 

Yes the Browns called Hunt's bluff. But in this day and age, the unpredictable nature of athletes is such that something like this can turn on a dime. It bears watching.