The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in unfamiliar territory this late in the season: hovering around .500, searching for rhythm, and needing a spark to stay in the playoff conversation. With the wide receiver corps depleted and the offensive line springing more leaks than usual, the offense has looked out of sync. And while Patrick Mahomes is still Mahomes-capable of brilliance at any moment-he hasn’t had the same margin for error we’ve seen in past seasons.
But amid the inconsistency, one name has quietly become a stabilizing force: Kareem Hunt.
Yes, that Kareem Hunt. Brought back in 2024 as what many assumed was a depth signing, Hunt has gone from afterthought to essential.
With Isiah Pacheco battling injuries, Hunt has stepped into a larger role-and he’s not just filling space. He’s delivering.
What Hunt has brought to the Chiefs isn’t flash. It’s finish.
He’s been the guy closing drives, grinding out tough yards between the tackles and refusing to go down on first contact. He’s already punched in seven rushing touchdowns, with another one through the air, and his physical style has helped bring balance to an offense that’s often had to rely too heavily on Mahomes’ arm.
And he’s not just padding stats in garbage time. Hunt has shown up when it counts most-against top-tier defenses, in high-leverage moments.
Take the comeback win over the Colts a couple weeks back. With the passing game sputtering, Hunt took over.
He carried the ball 30 times for 104 hard-fought yards and a touchdown, setting the tone for a gritty team win.
Then came last week’s matchup against Dallas. Pacheco was back in uniform, but clearly not at full strength.
Once again, Hunt answered the call. Fourteen carries, 58 yards, another trip to the end zone.
Nothing jaw-dropping, but exactly what Kansas City needed: steady, tough, reliable.
In a league obsessed with highlight-reel plays and explosive stats, it’s easy to overlook a guy like Hunt. But ask yourself this-where would the Chiefs be without him right now? He’s not just eating carries; he’s keeping the offense on schedule, keeping Mahomes out of third-and-longs, and keeping defenses honest.
And here’s the thing: Hunt isn’t wearing down. Despite the increased workload, he’s holding up physically and producing with consistency. Several weeks ago, he said he was feeling good despite the added touches, and the numbers back that up.
Looking ahead, Kansas City is going to need every bit of what Hunt brings. Houston’s defense is no joke, and if the Chiefs want to open up the field for Mahomes to take his signature deep shots, they’ll need Hunt to keep the chains moving and the defense guessing.
Of course, the ideal scenario is a fully healthy Pacheco returning to form. His burst and big-play ability would be the perfect complement to Hunt’s bruising style. But even if that doesn’t happen right away, Hunt’s proven he can carry the load-and carry it well.
He may not have been part of the original plan, but Kareem Hunt has become something this Chiefs offense desperately needed: a dependable, physical presence who shows up when it matters most. And if Kansas City is going to make that late-season push, they’ll need him to keep doing exactly what he’s been doing-no flash required.