The Kansas City Chiefs and running back Kareem Hunt have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $1.5 million in base salary and up to $2.5 million through incentives, according to a team source.
After leaving the team in 2018, Hunt was given the opportunity to reunite with the Chiefs early in the 2024 season. Hunt went on to start eight of his 13 regular-season appearances for the Chiefs, leading the team in carries (200), rushing yards (728) and rushing touchdowns (seven).
Hunt, who turns 30 in August, is still an effective power back. On top of posting a career-high 55.5 percent success rate in 2024, six of Hunt’s seven rushing touchdowns came within 5 yards of the end zone.
A logical reunion for Hunt, Chiefs
The Chiefs re-signing Hunt was always the most logical decision for both parties. Last season, Hunt was one of the team’s most compelling players. He joined the roster in September following Isiah Pacheco’s broken fibula injury and provided a level of toughness and perseverance that helped the Chiefs earn the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed. In the week leading up to Super Bowl LIX, Hunt said he wanted to remain with the Chiefs after he wasn’t on any team’s roster last offseason. As of Friday, the Chiefs have a better projected backfield than they had this time last year, with Pacheco as the starter, Hunt as the primary backup and Elijah Mitchell as the third-down back. — Nate Taylor, Chiefs beat writer
RB still a priority position in draft
Even with three veteran running backs on the roster, the Chiefs should still have the position as one of their top priorities for the upcoming NFL Draft. One reason is because the Chiefs will need more production from their rushing attack in 2025. Last season, quarterback Patrick Mahomes accounted for 72.5 percent of the offense’s yards, the most of any quarterback in the league. That shouldn’t happen again. The Chiefs should use one of their three Day 2 draft picks to select a running back prospect to bring more juice to the position. — Taylor
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