According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Kansas City Chiefs are considering a reunion with a former running back. Kareem Hunt, a free agent, will be paying them a visit on Tuesday.
This information has emerged as the Chiefs look to replace starting running back Isiah Pacheco, who sustained an injury during Sunday’s game and is anticipated to be sidelined for an extended period of time. It would be unexpected if the Chiefs reunited with Hunt given their past. Hunt was selected by Kansas City in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Over the course of two successful seasons, he started every game until footage of an off-field altercation in which he kicked and assaulted a woman surfaced. Hunt later acknowledged that, when the Chiefs questioned him about the incident, he had not been completely truthful.
In late November 2018, the Chiefs announced his release, claiming in a statement that Kareem had not been forthright in those conversations with the Chiefs administration. That’s what the newly released video demonstrates. Kareem is being released right away. A week later, Chiefs owner Clark Hunt told reporters that the franchise was “shocked by the video” and that “everyone was on board” with his release.
Kareem Hunt was signed by the Cleveland Browns in February 2019 and spent five seasons on the team. Pacheco will “miss approximately 6-8 weeks,” according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN on Monday, but he should be back this season. During a weekly news conference with reporters on Monday, Chiefs coach Andy Reid didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic with the possibilities behind Pacheco.
Among them is rookie Carson Steele, who made an impression throughout training camp but lost a crucial fumble during Sunday’s game. Steele ended with 24 yards on seven carries. The veteran Samaje Perine, who was just signed by the Denver Broncos after being released, is the other option.
Originally brought in to fill the position of a third-down back who could catch passes out of the backfield and protect the passer, Perine is still getting to know the system. After putting in summer training to enhance his pass-catching skills, Pacheco has been a workhorse for the Chiefs this season. Prior to getting hurt on Sunday in the fourth quarter, Pacheco had 19 rushes and 5 receptions.
Reid didn’t appear very excited when asked whether he thought Steele or Perine could manage that kind of workload without Pacheco. Reid remarked, “I would tell you I have confidence in them.” “I simply haven’t had that experience with them.” When Reid was questioned later about Steele maybe taking Pacheco’s top RB slot, the tone became a touch more optimistic.
He will need to do better in that job. However, I believe he enjoys a challenge, and this will provide him with a good one,” Reid remarked. Obviously, he needs to keep the ball tight and high. He had the fumble yesterday, and he doesn’t have a history of it. He must thus ensure that he takes that lesson to heart. Long-term roster support could possibly be available to the Chiefs in three weeks. Due to post-traumatic stress disorder, veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire was put on the non-football illness list prior to the start of the season.
Reid remarked, “So we just need to figure all that out and see how all that fits in.” But we are aware of his presence. He simply won’t be available here for a few more weeks. Last season, Hunt was a member of the Browns’ 15-game roster, rushing 135 times for 411 yards and nine touchdowns.
