The Kansas City Chiefs entered Super Bowl 59 with history on their minds, chasing the NFL’s first-ever three-peat. Instead, they crashed into reality against the Philadelphia Eagles, falling 40-22 in a game that exposed every crack in their foundation. Mahomes threw for over 250 yards, but the running game that had carried them through two championships looked broken. Now, with an offseason full of roster moves behind them, one familiar face might not survive the competition.
Kansas City Chiefs Predicted To Cut Pro Bowl RB As Isiah Pacheco Returns From Injury
The Chiefs’ 2024 season became a masterclass in surviving adversity. Injuries decimated their offensive unit, forcing Kansas City to rely on players who were supposed to be depth pieces.
The most devastating blow came early in Week 2 when Isiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula. Kansas City lost their primary ball carrier for over 10 games, leaving a massive hole in their ground attack. That’s when the Chiefs turned to a familiar face: Kareem Hunt, their former third-round pick who they brought back to salvage their running game.
Kareem Hunt highlights from last year… because why not? 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JVgbENYjSs
— Daily Chiefs (@Daily_Chiefs_) July 12, 2025
Hunt stepped in and handled a workload he hadn’t seen since his rookie year with Kansas City in 2017. He churned out over 700 yards, keeping the Chiefs’ ground game functional during their darkest months. But the numbers tell a different story about his efficiency.
Despite his production, Hunt’s effectiveness raised questions about Kansas City’s long-term plans at the position. With Pacheco healthy and new additions to the backfield, Hunt’s role in 2025 became uncertain. That uncertainty has now turned into speculation about his roster spot.
What Do the Numbers Say About Kareem Hunt’s 2024 Performance?
PFSN’s Jacob Infante believes Hunt could find himself on the outside looking in when the Chiefs finalize their roster. The reasoning comes down to pure efficiency.
“When Isiah Pacheco got hurt, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt off the street and immediately thrust him into a 200-carry season,” Infante wrote. “However, out of the 23 running backs with 200 carries or more, Hunt had the fewest yards per carry at just 3.6.
“The Chiefs brought Hunt back, but Pacheco also returns from injury. They signed Elijah Mitchell in free agency and took a seventh-round flier on Brashard Smith in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hunt had a massive workload in 2024, but he wasn’t all that efficient with it. He could be a cut candidate if Kansas City thinks their other backs bring more to the table.”
The competition has gotten significantly tougher since Hunt’s emergency signing. Pacheco returned in Week 13 of the 2024 season, and despite his limited Super Bowl impact, he remains a more effective starter than Hunt. Mitchell brings proven efficiency to the equation, averaging 4.7 yards per carry when given 200-plus carries in his career.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs struck gold in the seventh round with Brashard Smith. The SMU product was coming off a monster season, rushing for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns on 235 carries. Most draft experts projected Smith as a fourth-round pick, making his seventh-round selection a potential steal.
If Smith shows promise during training camp, Hunt’s path to the roster becomes even narrower. The Chiefs have transformed their backfield from a unit held together by emergency signings into a group with legitimate depth and upside. Hunt’s veteran presence might not be enough to secure his spot in that competition.
