Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense was missing multiple pieces. For a large chunk of the year, one of those was running back Isiah Pacheco. After he went down with a fractured fibula, the team reunited with old friend Kareem Hunt to keep the rushing attack alive.
With Hunt back for another year, he’s expected to play a role in the backfield picture. One analyst isn’t completely sold on that, though.
In a story for Pro Football Sports Network, Jacob Infante dove into one “shocking cut candidate” for each team. Hunt was named the Chiefs’ representative on the list.
Writer Not Impressed by Kareem Hunt’s 2024-25 Production
Although Hunt was a critical piece of the team last year, Infante isn’t blown away by his production.
“When Isiah Pacheco got hurt, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt off the street and immediately thrust him into a 200-carry season,” Infante wrote. “However, out of the 23 running backs with 200 carries or more, Hunt had the fewest yards per carry at just 3.6. The Chiefs brought Hunt back, but Pacheco also returns from injury. They signed Elijah Mitchell in free agency, and they took a seventh-round flier on Brashard Smith in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hunt had a massive workload in 2024, but he wasn’t all that efficient with it. He could be a cut candidate if Kansas City thinks their other backs bring more to the table.”
In fairness to Infante, it’s pretty easy to find less-than-ideal indicators of Hunt’s 2024 performance. That 3.6 yards per carry mark simply won’t cut it for a starter-level player. Not only that, but Hunt failed to create explosive plays. Despite receiving 200 carries during the regular season, he had just one run of 20-plus yards. He also wore down over the course of the year. In his final five regular-season contests, Hunt averaged less than 4 yards per touch.
There is plenty of good, however, that Hunt gave the Chiefs. First and foremost, he won’t be a starter in 2025. That makes his yard-per-carry average easier to stomach. Considering his role – a short-yardage and goal-line piece – it’s reasonable. Hunt’s 2 yards before contact per attempt were his most since 2021. His 55.5% success rate on the ground was his highest mark ever.
Chiefs’ Running Back Room Isn’t Proven Enough to Not Have Hunt
Even if Hunt isn’t an above-average player, he raises the floor of the running back group. Parting ways with Pro Football Focus‘ No. 24 qualified halfback from 2024 doesn’t make sense. Then you add in his receiving chops, understanding of the offense and ability in pass protection, and you get a clear picture. If Hunt is a backup, he’s a perfectly fine one. Last year, the problem was he got too high of a rep volume.
Back to the other half of Infante’s argument. There is a world where the Chiefs’ other running backs stand out. Pacheco looked like a shell of himself late last year, but he has a healthy offseason under his belt. He’s just two years removed from a 935-yard, 7-touchdown season. Mitchell is still just 27 years old and if healthy, he offers a dynamic rushing profile. Smith is a converted wide receiver who can play special teams and fulfill a gadget role if he makes the team. There’s a good blend there.
On the other hand, it’s banking on a heck of a lot to go right. Pacheco’s injury history suggests he’ll miss some time. Mitchell hasn’t put together a quality season since 2021 and hasn’t played since 2023. Smith is a seventh-round pick for a reason. There’s got to be at least some glue to hold the picture together.
Hunt is exactly that, which is why he won’t be cut.
