The Kansas City Chiefs are re-signing veteran running back Kareem Hunt to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with incentives on Friday, a source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hunt began last year on the street before he reunited with the Chiefs when starting RB Isaiah Pacheco went down with an early-season injury. The 29-year-old ended up being a big waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers, as he went on to rush for 728 yards -- his most since 2020 with the Cleveland Browns -- and seven touchdowns on 200 rushing attempts in 13 regular-season games (eight starts). Hunt also added 23 catches for 176 yards through the air. It was a nice career resurgence for Hunt, who started his career with two seasons in KC back in 2017-18. However, with Pacheco healthy and the team bringing in Elijah Mitchell in free agency, Hunt could be the No. 3 back to open the 2025 season.
Kareem Hunt Should Shoulder The Load In Super Bowl
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will be the preferred back for the Chiefs in the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles. Hunt has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to compete at a higher level than Isiah Pacheco. In the team's crucial AFC Championship win over the Buffalo Bills, Hunt rushed 17 times for 64 yards and a touchdown compared to five rushes and 12 yards for Pacheco. The 29-year-old will be leaned on again in the Super Bowl as Kansas City will do their best to manage the clock throughout the contest. Hunt will have to face one of the most formidable defenses in the league this weekend, but he will likely get enough opportunities to make something happen. Hunt's role as the primary back in the red zone makes him an interesting play in DFS and playoff leagues. The Chiefs will need to rely on the run game to prolong drives and Hunt should be the back they turn to.
Isiah Pacheco Again Takes Back Seat To Kareem Hunt
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco toted the rock five times for 12 yards and hauled in both of his targets for 12 more in his team's 32-29 win over the Buffalo Bills. Pacheco and backfield mate Kareem Hunt split time pretty evenly for the first four weeks of the former's return from early season fibula surgery. However, Pacheco injured his ribs in Week 17's victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers and has since produced ten carries and 30 yards on 35 snaps over two playoff games, while Hunt has vastly out-snapped and out-produced him as the team's lead back. Unfortunately for the 25-year-old, this appears to be his role, as he's fully recovered from the rib injury he sustained near the season's end. We'll see if that changes in Kansas City's Super Bowl meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he'll be impossible to trust until his volume or production significantly increases.
Kareem Hunt Pounds The Rock In AFC Championship Win
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt handled 17 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown in the 32-29 win over the Buffalo Bills. Hunt also caught one pass for six yards in this contest. The 29-year-old was the clear lead back, finishing the game with 12 more carries than Isiah Pacheco. The veteran running back was the dependable between-the-tackles runner that Kansas City needed him to be in this close victory. Kansas City has now advanced to their third straight Super Bowl in search of the NFL's first three-peat. Hunt was not on the team for their first two championships, but he will play an important role in search of their third. The Chiefs will take on the Philadelphia Eagles, who they beat in their 2023 Super Bowl matchup. The Eagles defensive unit was among the best in the league this season, so Hunt will have his work cut out for him in the Super Bowl.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt was the second back on the field for Kansas City, but he proved to be the more reliable option down the stretch. Hunt rushed eight times for 44 yards and a touchdown compared to five carries and 18 yards for Isiah Pacheco. Given his steady performance and Pacheco's inconsistencies, it is likely that the Chiefs lean on him again in this week's contest. Kansas City will face off against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game this Sunday. Given the high-powered nature of the Bills offense, Kansas City will try to limit the number of opportunities Josh Allen will have to beat them. Hunt will be leaned on the grind out drives and kill the clock this week. If the veteran running back can remain efficient, he should be in for a heavy workload. Consider starting Hunt in DFS and playoff leagues this Sunday.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt handled eight carries for 44 yards and a touchdown in the 23-14 win over the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. The veteran running back also caught one pass for two yards in this contest. Hunt led the backfield with more touches and total yards than Isiah Pacheco. The 29-year-old also averaged 5.5 yards per carry compared to 3.6 for Pacheco. Despite the latter starting the game, Hunt showed that he is the better back right now. Hunt will have the week to prepare for the team's AFC Championship matchup against the Baltimore Ravens or Buffalo Bills. The Ravens appear to be the tougher run defense of the two, but Hunt should be heavily involved regardless of the matchup.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt has been the team's leader out of the backfield despite the return of Isiah Pacheco. The veteran running back has earned more opportunities in the last three games he played alongside Pacheco. Hunt was not listed on the injury report this week, while Pacheco appeared to be nursing a rib injury. The 29-year-old running back may be the healthier of the duo, which could impact the way the backfield is split against the Houston Texans. The Texans defense held the Los Angeles Chargers to 12 points in last week's Wild Card matchup. Much of Hunt's value this season has come from finding the endzone, and those opportunities should be available to him in this contest. Hunt should be viewed as the Chiefs lead running back until the team shows otherwise, which makes him a valuable asset in DFS and playoff leagues this week.
Kareem Hunt And Nick Bolton Active Sunday, Might Not Play
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (coach's decision) and linebacker Nick Bolton (coach's decision) are officially active for Week 18 against the Denver Broncos. Both players had been listed as doubtful with the Chiefs planning to rest several key starters. Although they are ultimately active for Sunday's contest, they might not play any snaps. According to Tracy Wolfson of CBS, head coach Andy Reid kept a few starters, like Bolton and Hunt, active just in case "they are needed in spot duty [because] of altitude, long drives, or heath issues." Barring something unforeseen, neither Hunt nor Bolton will be very involved on Sunday. They should be avoided in fantasy football this week.
Isiah Pacheco Ruled Out, Kareem Hunt Doubtful For Week 18
According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos. Running back Kareem Hunt (coaching) is also listed as doubtful for this weekend. Pacheco has been unable to practice all week with a rib injury he suffered during their Week 17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pacheco missed time earlier this season with a fractured fibula but should be expected to operate as the top running back when healthy. While he was sidelined, Kareem Hunt took over the starting role. With the Chiefs already having sole possession of the top seed in the AFC, they will opt to ensure both of their top running backs are fully healthy for the postseason. As a result, fantasy managers should expect rookie Carson Steele to receive a heavy workload in this game alongside Samaje Perine. Steele should be viewed as a viable RB2 option this weekend and a great value play in DFS.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt handled nine carries for 20 yards and a touchdown in the 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hunt found himself with the most carries out of the backfield for another week and got into the endzone despite being inefficient on the ground. The 29-year-old averaged just 2.2 yards per carry in this contest against a formidable defense, but his rushing score saved his fantasy day. Fellow running back Isiah Pacheco split work with Hunt before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a rib injury. Neither back saw any work in the passing game this week, with all the receiving work going to Samaje Perine. The Chiefs clinched the top seed in the AFC with this Christmas Day win, meaning they have nothing left to play for in the regular season. Hunt and the rest of the starters should be expected to sit out Week 18 against the Denver Broncos.
Kareem Hunt
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