AROUND THE NFL
Question marks surrounding Kareem Hunt’s signability should be answered in time for next season ... Ravens extend Harbaugh ... LDT a late scratch by the Chiefs
KANSAS CITY — It looks like there could be an experienced, highly skilled running back on the market when the NFL free agency period starts in March.
By then, buyers will be well aware of any baggage he is toting.
While the Kansas City Chiefs were in last-minute preparations for the AFC championship game on Sunday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that an investigation into the wrongdoings of
Kareem Hunt could be completed within the next two months. Rapoport says that, at the very least, teams considering signing the former Chiefs star will know what they need to know before the 2019 season begins.
Hunt, who was released by the Chiefs with five games left in the season for lying about a video that showed him shoving and kicking a woman, has been placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List while he tries to get his life in order. He is also being investigated for two other incidents — an altercation at a nightclub and allegations of punching a man at a resort.
The final piece of the league’s investigation is expected to be an interview with Hunt, the NFL’s 2017 rushing leader. After that point, it will be determined how long a suspension he is handed for violating the personal conduct policy, and how many of the five games he has already served will play into it.
Even though he could miss the start of next season, Rapoport says that “several teams have been keeping tabs on Hunt, touching base and doing homework on him,” and that the 23-year old, who has gone through counselling for anger and alcohol issues, is likely to get a final opportunity.
AROUND THE LOOP
So much for rumours of John Harbaugh relocating. The Ravens have signed their head coach to a new deal that extends beyond the 2019 season, according to multiple reports. That means Harbaugh, who had one year left on his contract, has elected to pass on the opportunity to be a highly sought after free agent. At least for now ... With the future of Antonio
Brown still up in the air, the Steelers superstar posted a message to fans on Instagram on Saturday. And it was not to say goodbye, he pointed out. “One thing I understand about his fan base and that I’ll never forget and always appreciate is your passion,” Brown wrote. “Know that it’s all love this way and I am forever thankful to #steelernation ... this is not a good-bye, just a thank u.” ... LB Morgan Burnett wants the Steelers to release him 10 months after signing a three-year deal with the team. Burnett wants to find a team that will return him to his original position as a safety ... Steelers owner Art
Rooney continues to insist all is well with his team, despite signs to the contrary. “I certainly don’t think we have a culture problem,” Rooney said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Tribune. “We won 13 games (in 2017), so if you have a culture problem, if you have a discipline problem on your team, those kind of teams don’t win 13 games in the National Football League. The bottom line is when you point to last year, and everybody talks about the drama, that was a team that won 13 games. The first test for me is the performance on the field. Are we winning games? Do we have a winning culture? I think the record speaks for itself.” The Steelers were 9-6-1 and missed the playoffs this season.
CANADIAN CONNECTIONS
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif was removed from injury reserve and participated in full practice all week with the Chiefs, but just before game time he was placed on the inactive list. Whether he had a setback on Friday or head coach Andy Reid just decided he wasn’t up to speed for a conference championship showdown after being out since Week 5 with a broken leg, it had to be disappointing for LDT, a fiveyear veteran guard who was born and bred in Mont-SaintHilaire, Que . ... After two years on the sidelines, it looks like former CFL great
Tom Clements has rejoined the NFL work force. Multiple reports indicate that Clements has been hired by the Arizona Cardinals as an offensive assistant who will serve as a passing-game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, working directly with second year QB Josh Rosen. New head coach Kliff
Kingsbury is expected to retain play-calling duties. Clements has been unemployed since 2016, when he was fired as an assistant with the Green Bay Packers after 11 seasons, during which time he worked with Brett
Favre and Aaron Rodgers.
He also spent two seasons (2004-05) as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator, plus served on coaching staffs in New Orleans, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. Clements, 65, quarterbacked the Ottawa Rough Riders, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hamilton Ticats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He won Grey Cups in Ottawa (1976) and Winnipeg (1984).
EXTRA POINTS
While the Bengals are expected to hire Rams QB coach Zac Taylor as their head coach, reports indicate they’ll hire a guy with head coaching experience as their defensive coordinator. That would be Jack Del Rio, who was the Raiders’ sideline boss before he was turfed in favour of Jon Gruden at the end of last season. Del Rio was also the Jaguars head coach for eight years and the DC in Denver for two ... Reports suggest the Cowboys are prepared to make Kellen
Moore their offensive coordinator. Moore was the team’s quarterbacks coach this season and backup QB the year before that ... Former NFL QB
Jon Kitna, who was most recently the offensive coordinator for the AAF’s San Diego Fleet, is expected to replace Moore as QBs coach.