The Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl 59 with dreams of etching their name in NFL history as the first team to achieve a three-peat. Instead, they were handed a humbling 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, a game that laid bare their vulnerabilities. Patrick Mahomes threw for over 250 yards, but the running game, a cornerstone of their back-to-back championships, faltered under pressure. Now, as the Chiefs navigate the 2025 offseason with a revamped roster, one of their most storied players—a playmaker with 64 career touchdowns—finds himself shockingly on the chopping block: Kareem Hunt.
A Season of Adversity and Resilience
The 2024 season tested the Chiefs’ depth like never before. Injuries ravaged their offensive unit, forcing Kansas City to lean on players who were meant to be complementary pieces. The most significant blow came in Week 2 when star running back Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula, sidelining him for over 10 games. With their primary ball carrier out, the Chiefs turned to a familiar face: Kareem Hunt, their former third-round pick from 2017, who was signed off the street to fill the void.
Kareem Hunt highlights from last year… because why not? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JVgbENYjSs
— Daily Chiefs (@Daily_Chiefs_) July 12, 2025
Hunt, a Pro Bowl talent during his rookie season, stepped into a role he hadn’t played since his early days with Kansas City. He shouldered a heavy workload, rushing for over 700 yards and keeping the Chiefs’ ground game afloat during a turbulent season. His return was a feel-good story, a homecoming for a player who had once been a cornerstone of the franchise. But while Hunt’s grit and veteran presence provided stability, his efficiency—or lack thereof—has sparked questions about his future with the team.
The Numbers Tell a Sobering Story
PFSN’s Jacob Infante recently highlighted Hunt’s precarious position in a crowded Chiefs backfield. “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.”
This statistic paints a stark contrast to Hunt’s otherwise respectable production. While he churned out yards through sheer volume, his 3.6 yards per carry lagged behind the efficiency of other backs in similar roles. For a team like the Chiefs, who pride themselves on maximizing every offensive opportunity, Hunt’s inefficiency has become a focal point in roster discussions.
A Revamped Backfield Raises the Stakes
The Chiefs didn’t stand pat after their Super Bowl loss. General manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid moved aggressively to bolster their running back room, transforming it from a patchwork unit into one brimming with talent and potential. Isiah Pacheco, now fully recovered from his injury, returned in Week 13 of the 2024 season and remains the undisputed starter. Despite a limited impact in the Super Bowl, Pacheco’s 4.8 yards per carry in prior seasons make him a dynamic force in Kansas City’s offense.
The Chiefs also signed Elijah Mitchell in free agency, a running back with a proven track record. Mitchell, who has averaged 4.7 yards per carry when given 200-plus carries in his career, brings a level of efficiency that Hunt struggled to match in 2024. His addition signals Kansas City’s intent to prioritize explosive playmakers in their backfield.
Perhaps the most intriguing move was the Chiefs’ selection of Brashard Smith in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The SMU product, who rushed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns on 235 carries in his final college season, was widely projected as a fourth-round pick. His slide to the seventh round was a coup for Kansas City, and early reports from training camp suggest he could be a steal. Smith’s speed, vision, and versatility add yet another layer of competition to an already crowded backfield.
Is This the End for Kareem Hunt?
With Pacheco entrenched as the starter, Mitchell offering proven efficiency, and Smith emerging as a potential gem, Hunt’s path to a roster spot has never been narrower. His 64 career touchdowns—33 of which came during his time with the Chiefs—speak to his playmaking ability, but the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately?” league. Hunt’s veteran presence and familiarity with Andy Reid’s system may not be enough to outweigh his lackluster efficiency and the upside of younger, more dynamic options.
If Brashard Smith continues to impress in training camp, the Chiefs may opt to prioritize youth and potential over sentimentality. Hunt, who will turn 30 in August 2025, could find himself as the odd man out in a backfield that has evolved beyond what he can offer.
The End of an Era?
Kareem Hunt’s return to Kansas City in 2024 was a nostalgic reunion, a chance for a former star to reclaim his place in a franchise he helped define. His contributions during a trying season were undeniable, but the NFL moves fast, and the Chiefs are no exception. As they look to rebound from their Super Bowl disappointment, Kansas City’s front office faces tough decisions about who fits into their vision for 2025 and beyond.
Hunt’s 64 touchdowns and Pro Bowl pedigree make him a fan favorite, but the numbers—and the depth chart—tell a different story. If the Chiefs part ways with him, it could mark the end of an era for a player who once electrified Arrowhead Stadium. For now, Hunt’s fate hangs in the balance, and the coming weeks of training camp will determine whether he can defy the odds or if his time in Kansas City has truly run its course.