How KC Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt rejuvenated his NFL career in Kansas City

For Kareem Hunt, the only difference seemingly was the uniform number.

Instead of the No. 27 he wore originally with the Chiefs, he’s appearing in No. 29 now. But just about everything else, from Hunt’s burst, to his moves and determination to pick up extra yards, looks as if time has stood still.

Hunt, 29, is preparing for his second game back with the Chiefs, which comes Monday against the New Orleans Saints at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

On Saturday, he spoke for the first time about his effort in last weekend’s 17-10 Chiefs victory at the L.A. Chargers. Hunt rushed for 69 yards on 14 attempts that day at SoFi Stadium.

“A fun day for me,” he said, “getting back on the field, knocking off some rust and getting back into it.”

That he’s “getting back into it” with the Chiefs makes this new chapter in Hunt’s pro career all the more meaningful. He broke onto the NFL scene as a rookie in 2017, leading the league in rushing.

And he was headed for another big year with Kansas City in 2018 when he was released by the Chiefs after a video surfaced showing Hunt kicking and shoving a woman outside his apartment. The Chiefs said then that Hunt had not been truthful to them about the incident.

Hunt resurfaced with his hometown Cleveland Browns, where he spent the next five seasons playing in 64 games with 11 starts. He was on a one-year contract last season but hadn’t latched on with a team for 2024.

Enter the Chiefs, who were suddenly in the market for a running back when talented starter Isiah Pacheco broke a fibula in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Undrafted rookie Carson Steele was the Chiefs’ primary back the next week against the Atlanta Falcons. But early in last week’s game against the Chargers, Steele lost a fumble for the second time this season. So the Chiefs went mostly with Hunt the rest of the way.

Before reuniting with the Chiefs, Hunt was a free agent. He stayed in shape by working with his high school track coach in Cleveland, “knowing that if I got the call I had to be ready to go,” Hunt said.

In addition to his rushing yards in L.A., Hunt caught two passes for 16 yards. One was a shovel pass from Patrick Mahomes that was reminiscent of Hunt’s previous stint with the Chiefs.

“He did well,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I thought he was pretty accurate with the holes that he it. I think we all have a lot of trust in Kareem since he’d been here and we know how he’s wired. He’s been able to pick up stuff pretty quick.”

The Chiefs are comfortable bringing back former players in general. Besides Hunt, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, with the Chiefs in 2022 and New England Patriots last year, is also back.

So is tight end Jody Fortson, who was on injured reserve last season and had signed with Miami in March. He didn’t make the Dolphins’ roster, but the Chiefs re-signed him two weeks ago and elevated him to their active roster this week.

“It helps,” Smith-Schuster said of returning to a past team, “because you’re very familiar with coaches, teammates, and you already have the chemistry with a lot of the guys.”

Even if the separation had lasted, in Hunt’s case, five years.

“Everything’s the exact same from when I left,” Hunt said while standing in the Chiefs’ locker room Saturday. “It felt good to get back here, play football and be around guys I love and care about.”

And if his first touchdown this season comes on Monday at Arrowhead?

“I’ve been thinking about that since I got here,” Hunt said. “I don’t know what I’ll do, but I’ll be excited.”