Kareem Hunt Has Been An Unsung Hero For Kansas City Offense

The Kansas City Chiefs have had a lot of ups and down offensively. First their wide receiver room was stripped bare, and now their offensive line has some significant holes. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes hasn’t quite been the playmaker we’ve seen in the past, and as a result they’re stuck at .500 and in need of a miracle run to make the playoffs.

If there’s one player who’s been an unexpected rock on offense, it’s Kareem Hunt. He’s stepped up time and time again to help the running game with Isiah Pacheco struggling with injuries, and Hunt has been surprisingly solid.

This isn’t what the Chiefs were expecting when they added him back in 2024. Hunt was an afterthought add-on and a depth piece, but this year he’s been a lot more than that.

One of his primary functions is as a drive finisher. Hunt has seven touchdowns on the ground to go with another touchdown reception, and his tough inside running has helped balance the Kansas City offense.

Hunt has also had some of his best games when the Chiefs need it most against the toughest defenses. When Kansas City came from behind couple of weeks ago to beat the Indianapolis Colts, it was Hunt who had one of his signature games, carrying the ball 30 times for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Last week’s Dallas game was another example of Hunt’s value. Pacheco returned to the lineup, and the expectation was that he would anchor the ground game as usual.

But that wasn’t what happened. Pacheco was clearly limited, and once again it was Hunt who stepped into the breach, giving the Chiefs a solid performance with 58 yards on 14 carries for the touchdown.

It’s easy to make fun of “solid” when everyone wants spectacular, but the flip side is the question of where the Chiefs would be without Hunt. He’s certainly not performing like a typical 30-yard back, and several weeks ago Hunt said he was feeling fine despite the extra workload, and his numbers certainly speak to that.

The Chiefs will need more of this going forward. Hunt’s contributions will be necessary to keep Houston’s defense honest, and without his yardage it will be tough for Mahomes to move the chains and take the occasional downfield shots.

The best thing for Kansas City would be a return to form by Pacheco, which would give the Chiefs more speed to complement Hunt’s toughness. But Hunt will be there regardless, and he’s been an offensive weapon Kansas City can count on.