After signing free agent running back Elijah Mitchell on Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs rewarded their leading rusher in 2024, signing him for another season.
When Isiah Pacheco injured his knee in week two, Head Coach Andy Reid called Kareem Hunt and asked him about returning to the Chiefs. There was some internal discussion about how he left the team, but he redeemed himself and led the Chiefs in rushing last season.
Hunt led the team in rushing with 728 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season. He was an effective runner in the playoffs, adding two more post-season touchdowns. He came when the Chiefs offense needed him to step up.
Well, considering when the Chiefs called, he was on his coach, he stepped in a week later and led the team in rushing when the team visited the Los Angeles Chargers.
When Pacheco returned, the Chiefs limited his carries, but when they needed a first down in short-yardage situations, Hunt delivered every snap, giving the Chiefs their best runner in the clutch.
With Elijah Mitchell on the roster and Pacheco playing in the final year of his contract, the decision to re-sign Hunt makes sense.
This signing doesn’t mean the Chiefs won’t draft another running back. With a pair of third-round picks, it’s possible, based on a deep draft, that KC will sign a young back to offset the likely loss of Pacheco, Hunt, or Mitchell, who will be free agents after the 2025 season.
Either Way, the Chiefs need to add speed, and Mitchell checks off that box, but he’s had injury issues. Hunt is a capable backup, and his ability to get the tough yards between the tackles remains valuable.
