Getty
Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt.
The Kansas City Chiefs will likely lean on free agents to bolster their backfield following the news that running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a broken fibula during the team’s Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. According to Jason Anderson of Sports Radio 810 WHB, a reunion with veteran Kareem Hunt is a distinct possibility for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.
“I woke up this morning thinking there was no chance of a Kareem Hunt reunion. Now I hear the door isn’t closed. It’s a real possibility,” Anderson wrote on X – formerly Twitter on Sept. 16. “I’m not saying they’re signing Hunt, but don’t be shocked to hear his name being linked to RBs the Chiefs are talking to/bringing up for a workout.”
Hunt, 29, was selected in the third round by the Chiefs in 2017. He burst onto the NFL scene in his rookie season, recording 323 touches, 1,327 rushing yards and 11 total touchdowns in 16 regular-season games.
Hunt was also on pace to reach 1,000 rushing yards in his second year in the NFL, but was released by Kansas City in December 2018 after a video surfaced showing Hunt physically assaulting a woman at a hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. The Chiefs released Hunt for lying to the organization when they questioned him about the incident.
Would the Chiefs bring back Kareem Hunt after the rift?
After being released by the Chiefs, Hunt was a free agent for three months before signing with the Cleveland Browns, for whom he played from 2017 to 2023. During his time in Cleveland, Hunt had 577 carries, 2,285 yards and 25 touchdowns, as well as 147 receptions for 1,057 yards and another seven touchdowns through the air in 64 regular season games, according to Pro Football Reference.
Hunt returned to the Browns on September 20, 2023, after RB Nick Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury. During the 2023 season, Hunt ran the ball 135 times for 411 yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns in 15 regular season games.
Given Hunt’s history with the Chiefs, it’s hard to imagine Kansas City wanting him back on the team. But if Anderson’s report is accurate, the team could be willing to let bygones be bygones to fulfill the Chiefs’ bid for a third straight win.
Currently, Kansas City’s backfield – excluding Pacheco – consists of rookies Carson Steele and Samaje Perine on the active roster and Keaontay Ingram and Emani Bailey on the practice squad. Although Perine can be the team’s third-down back, there is uncertainty about how effective he and Steele can be when sharing the workload on first downs.
Come in, Hunt.
Hunt is a capable early-down rusher and receiver and would be a good fit for a Chiefs team that could use some help in both categories during Pacheco’s absence. So it would make sense for Kansas City to sign Hunt at the veteran minimum and utilize his versatile skill set until Pacheco returns.
X-users chat about a possible Chiefs reunion with Kareem Hunt
On X, users discussed the possibility of the Chiefs reuniting with Hunt.
“Jerick McKinnon and Kareem Hunt were mentioned a lot today. McKinnon is great, but he doesn’t solve the Chiefs’ first down problems. Hunt solves that (though he’s not what he used to be), but I’d be surprised if he was brought back,” wrote Kent Swanson of KC Sports Network.
“I was very critical of this guy for what he did. He shouldn’t have done it. I fought back when people said to sign him. But given the news about Pacheco, I think it’s time,” another person wrote. “Enough time has passed. I think the Chiefs should bring back Kareem Hunt. So. I said it.”
Devon Clements reports on the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts for Heavy.com. The New England native has been covering the NFL since 2017 and previously worked for the Sports Media Group of USA Today and Sports Illustrated, among others. More about Devon Clements
