Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt came out of nowhere to carry the team’s rushing attack last year. Filling in for an injured Isiah Pacheco, the longtime NFL veteran finished the regular season with 200 carries for 728 yards and seven touchdowns to go along with 23 receptions for 176 yards. This strong effort earned him a one-year, $1.5 million extension, but that financial committment may not be enough to guarantee his return in 2025.
In a recent article, Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox highlighted one big-name player on all 32 teams who could be cut before the start of the season. Knox chose Kareem Hunt for the Chiefs, specifically calling out the presence of fellow rushers Elijah Mitchell and seventh-round pick Brashard Smith.
“After he led the team in rushing last season, the Kansas City Chiefs opted to bring back Kareem Hunt on a one-year, $1.5 million deal,” Knox writes. “However, Kansas City also signed Elijah Mitchell before drafting former SMU running back Brashard Smith – who has intrigued the front office.”
Bleacher Report: Chiefs Could Release Kareem Hunt
Isiah Pacheco will start for the Chiefs if he’s healthy, but Mitchell and Smith are more than capable of beating out Hunt. Mitchell has proved himself to be an adequate short-term starter and high-end backup and should return to that role if he can stay healthy. Smith, meanwhile, probably would have been a fifth- or sixth-round pick if he didn’t come out in such a loaded class. Hunt is on the older side and could lose his job if these two perform well in the offseason. However, even if he can’t make the Chiefs roster, Kareem Hunt could land with one of the following organizations.
Other Fits
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have the NFL’s worst group of running backs, and it isn’t particularly close. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders both well past their primes, and it’s hard to place too much confidence in fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue. Kareem Hunt is no spring chicken himself, but he could win the starting job if the Chiefs cut him in training camp. Seeing as the Cowboys play in one of the league’s most competitive divisions, they must do whatever they can to improve around the margins.
New Orleans Saints
The 2025 season will probably not be pretty for the New Orleans Saints. With Derek Carr retired, first-year head coach Kellen Moore will presumably enter the season with second-round pick Tyler Shough under center. The Louisville product will need all the help he can get to become the team’s next franchise quarterback, and taht could include an upgrade at the RB2 position. Alvin Kamara isn’t going anywheere, but former third-round pick Kendre Miller has not done much since entering the league. Hunt could provide more stability to a roster that needs all the help they can get.
Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor is one of the best running backs in the NFL, but the Indianapolis Colts do not have a great plan at RB2. While current backup Khalil Herbert had his moments with the Chicago Bears, he’s not the most exciting backup in the league. Whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones under center, the Colts will likely rely on the ground attack to win games.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images
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