Following another game of key contributions, Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt is getting some praise.
After a slow start to the season and some carrying by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ ground attack is coming around just a bit. It’s nowhere near as good as its No. 3 EPA/play ranking might show, but after seven games, QB1 is no longer the club’s leading rusher.
On a per-snap basis, Kansas City is more effective now than it was to begin the year. The team’s rushing leader, Isiah Pacheco, gets some credit. Veteran running back Kareem Hunt plays a major role in that, too, even if his volume isn’t expansive.
Head coach Andy Reid made sure to tip his cap to Hunt for that following another Chiefs win.
Speaking to the media on Monday afternoon, Reid praised Hunt for his contributions to the team. He says having an experienced presence in the halfback room is a massive plus.
“All of our running backs ran hard yesterday, all three of them,” Reid said. “Kareem has got a real knack for that, and he’s got great vision. He’s always been good at that part of it. Having him back there, that’s a great thing. Having him on our roster is a great thing, because he brings veteran leadership and confidence to that group, which I appreciate. He’s seen a lot of things and been through a lot of things and does a great job of handling himself.”
It’s been a windy road for Hunt since coming into the league. Back in 2017, he led the league in rushing yards as a then-rookie with none other than these very Chiefs. The following year, however, off-the-field issues eventually led to him landing with the Cleveland Browns. He spent the next five seasons there, only to wind up back in Kansas City last year.
On paper, Hunt’s production does anything but stand out. In 20 regular-season games for his second stint with Reid and company, he has 253 attempts for 933 yards — good for just 3.7 yards per carry. He does, though, have 10 touchdowns and another 30 receptions for 231 yards through the air.
The Chiefs know exactly what they’re getting from Hunt. On the ground, he’s a valuable short-yardage back and someone who brings a consistent profile. That’s evidenced by his rushing success rates of 55.5% and 54.7% in 2024 and 2025, both the highest of his career. He’s also a capable receiver in a pinch and is a more than willing pass protector.
A deeper dive into Hunt’s numbers reveals his true value.
Not only is Hunt’s 3.9 yards per carry his top mark since 2021 in Cleveland, but he’s more efficient in advanced metrics as well. According to NFL Pro, he’s been good for 0.7 rush yards over expected per attempt. He’s also posted 7.0 rush EPA. Believe it or not, both are the best figures of his career (OK, maybe because 2017 wasn’t tracked).
The Chiefs trail only the Detroit Lions in lowest percentage of runs being stuffed (9.1 to Detroit’s 8.7). Hunt factors into that, too. Among 37 running backs with 50 or more carries this season, he posts the lowest tackle for loss rate (1.89%). No one else is under 2%. He’s also the best at turning over first downs; Hunt’s 35.85% mark leads the group. All of that comes with him facing the sixth-most defenders in the box on average.
Sunday’s 31-0 pummeling of the Las Vegas Raiders was a prime example. Consider Hunt’s four rush attempts on the afternoon:
Third-and-1: 9 yards, conversion
Third-and-1: No gain
Fourth-and-1: 3 yards, conversion
Third-and-1: 6 yards, conversion
Batting .750 in any sport is pretty darn good. For Hunt, it’s becoming an expectation. Even when he takes the field and defenses can guess where the ball’s going, he finds ways to keep the chains moving for the Chiefs.
Sometimes, teams need players who do the dirty work to help stack victories. Hunt fits that billing for Kansas City, and Reid believes the organization is better off because of it.
Jordan Foote is a seasoned sports writer who covers the NFL for Heavy.com with an emphasis on the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has years of experience publishing NFL and MLB content for Sports Illustrated’s On SI vertical, in addition to a background in NBA coverage for multiple outlets. Foote is a Baker University alumnus, earning his degree in Mass Media. He’s based in Kansas City. More about Jordan Foote
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