One of the saving graces for the Kansas City Chiefs offense in 2024, led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, was the resurgence of running back Kareem Hunt, who was added to the active roster before their Week 4 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
While on just a one-year, $1.2 million contract, he stepped up and finished the year leading the team in carries (200), rushing yards (728) and rushing touchdowns (seven) in just 13 games.
Hunt was slated to hit free agency until, on Friday, Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported that the Chiefs are bringing Hunt back on a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.5 million that could increase to $2.5 million with incentives.
Hunt has a complicated history with the Chiefs, who drafted the running back out of Toledo in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the same year as Mahomes.
Hunt rushed for 1,327 yards in his rookie season and was second in AP Rookie of the Year voting. However, he was released during the 2018 season after a video showed him kicking and shoving a woman, for which he later took responsibility and eventually signed with the Cleveland Browns.
When he did return to the Chiefs last season, he was welcomed with open arms, with Mahomes even digging into his relationship with Hunt during his first stint with Kansas City.
“Obviously, Kareem was a close friend of mine while he was here... he came to my wedding,” he said. “But obviously he went to Cleveland. He's had a good career there., has learned and become a better person, and I’m glad to have him back now.”
Now, with a deal in place, Hunt will have an opportunity to play a full season in the Chiefs' offense for the first time since that rookie year.
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