KANSAS CITY, Mo. – When running back Kareem Hunt left the team’s practice facility for the last time as a member of the Chiefs in 2018, he didn’t dare dream that he would ever return.

That’s why more than a week after he returned to the Chiefs, he was still surprised to be back.

“It’s crazy how some things worked out,” Hunt said. “Honestly, it was a lot. There were a lot of emotions. I was very excited, a little nervous and stuff like that, (but) these guys know me. I just have to be myself.”

The Chiefs elevated Hunt to the active roster after a week on the practice squad, and coach Andy Reid said Hunt will play in Sunday’s game against the Chargers in Los Angeles.

In fact, Hunt’s return to the Chiefs is quite a twist. The team released him midway through the 2018 season when a video surfaced showing Hunt kicking and shoving a woman outside his home.

The Chiefs at the time said Hunt was not honest about the incident when they asked him about it. He then signed with the Cleveland Browns, his hometown team, for whom he played the last five seasons.

“I was very young at the time, 23, and had a lot of success ahead of me. “I felt like I needed time to figure myself out and learn, and I felt like it was good for me to do that,” Hunt said. “I had the opportunity to go to the Browns and stuff, and this is my hometown, so I think it worked out.”

“I learned that not everyone has the best interest for me, not even my family, friends and things like that. I just had to think about a lot of things and ask, ‘How did I end up here?’”

Hunt recognized how difficult it is to watch the Chiefs win championships from afar. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl in 2019, the year after he was fired, then again in 2022 and 2023.

“I just had to think about the good, positive things,” Hunt said. “I was so excited for Coach Reid to win multiple Super Bowls. I also wanted to be the guy to help him. I still have a lot of close friends on this team and I couldn’t be more excited to see them achieve their goals.

“I was there from the beginning and was just so happy and excited for her. I wanted them to win from the start and they deserved it. They have great coaches, great players, and everyone comes and does their job.”

Hunt could be part of a championship team if the Chiefs can win the Super Bowl again this season.

“That was my goal,” he said. “I feel like every player that steps on the football field wants a championship ring and it’s a dream come true for me since I was a little kid and I couldn’t be more excited to help these guys get that title defend.

Reid said he wasn’t sure how often Hunt would play against the Chargers. The Chiefs used rookie Carson Steele and veteran Samaje Perine as running backs in their win over the Atlanta Falcons last week.

Regardless of how much he plays, Hunt said he will be the same player he was years ago for the Chiefs. He led the NFL in rushing as a rookie in 2017 and was on track for another 1,000-yard season in 2018 when he was released.

“I think I’m still very capable of doing that and I’m looking forward to helping shock the world and show them that I’ve still got it,” Hunt said. “It’s still hard to imagine. I think once that day comes it will feel real because it has been a long time coming. I can’t wait to put the red jerseys back on and go out there with these guys and show it.” Everything is on the line for them. And I imagine going out there and, whatever is asked of me, just doing it at the highest level and helping find a way to keep this winning streak going here.