Andy Reid Makes Thoughts on Kareem Hunt Clear After Chiefs’ Win
After a slow start to the season and some carrying by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ ground attack is coming around just a bit. It’s nowhere near as good as its No. 3 EPA/play ranking might show, but after seven games, QB1 is no longer the club’s leading rusher.
On a per-snap basis, Kansas City is more effective now than it was to begin the year. The team’s rushing leader, Isiah Pacheco, gets some credit. Veteran running back Kareem Hunt plays a major role in that, too, even if his volume isn’t expansive.
Head coach Andy Reid made sure to tip his cap to Hunt for that following another Chiefs win.
Andy Reid Applauds Kareem Hunt for Additions to Chiefs’ RB Room
Speaking to the media on Monday afternoon, Reid praised Hunt for his contributions to the team. He says having an experienced presence in the halfback room is a massive plus.
“All of our running backs ran hard yesterday, all three of them,” Reid said. “Kareem has got a real knack for that, and he’s got great vision. He’s always been good at that part of it. Having him back there, that’s a great thing. Having him on our roster is a great thing, because he brings veteran leadership and confidence to that group, which I appreciate. He’s seen a lot of things and been through a lot of things and does a great job of handling himself.”
It’s been a windy road for Hunt since coming into the league. Back in 2017, he led the league in rushing yards as a then-rookie with none other than these very Chiefs. The following year, however, off-the-field issues eventually led to him landing with the Cleveland Browns. He spent the next five seasons there, only to wind up back in Kansas City last year.
On paper, Hunt’s production does anything but stand out. In 20 regular-season games for his second stint with Reid and company, he has 253 attempts for 933 yards — good for just 3.7 yards per carry. He does, though, have 10 touchdowns and another 30 receptions for 231 yards through the air.
The Chiefs know exactly what they’re getting from Hunt. On the ground, he’s a valuable short-yardage back and someone who brings a consistent profile. That’s evidenced by his rushing success rates of 55.5% and 54.7% in 2024 and 2025, both the highest of his career. He’s also a capable receiver in a pinch and is a more than willing pass protector.
A deeper dive into Hunt’s numbers reveals his true value.
Further Contextualizing Hunt’s 2025-26 Season in Kansas City
Not only is Hunt’s 3.9 yards per carry his top mark since 2021 in Cleveland, but he’s more efficient in advanced metrics as well. According to NFL Pro, he’s been good for 0.7 rush yards over expected per attempt. He’s also posted 7.0 rush EPA. Believe it or not, both are the best figures of his career (OK, maybe because 2017 wasn’t tracked).
The Chiefs trail only the Detroit Lions in lowest percentage of runs being stuffed (9.1 to Detroit’s 8.7). Hunt factors into that, too. Among 37 running backs with 50 or more carries this season, he posts the lowest tackle for loss rate (1.89%). No one else is under 2%. He’s also the best at turning over first downs; Hunt’s 35.85% mark leads the group. All of that comes with him facing the sixth-most defenders in the box on average.
Sunday’s 31-0 pummeling of the Las Vegas Raiders was a prime example. Consider Hunt’s four rush attempts on the afternoon:
- Third-and-1: 9 yards, conversion
- Third-and-1: No gain
- Fourth-and-1: 3 yards, conversion
- Third-and-1: 6 yards, conversion
Batting .750 in any sport is pretty darn good. For Hunt, it’s becoming an expectation. Even when he takes the field and defenses can guess where the ball’s going, he finds ways to keep the chains moving for the Chiefs.
Sometimes, teams need players who do the dirty work to help stack victories. Hunt fits that billing for Kansas City, and Reid believes the organization is better off because of it.
Cowboys Have Reached out to Raiders About Bombshell Trade: Report
The Las Vegas Raiders are heading in the wrong direction, and it’s clear that they are far away from being contenders. Many believe that this will lead to the franchise embracing a total rebuild.
If that’s the case, that means some key veterans could be available ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline. The Raiders’ most valuable asset is star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. He’s been the team’s best player for years, but hasn’t been shy about his frustration with their losing ways.
The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the surprises of the NFL this season. Many thought they’d be among the league’s worst teams after they hired Brian Schottenheimer as head coach and traded away star pass rusher Micah Parsons.
However, the team is 3-3-1 and has the No. 1 offense in the NFL right now. The problem facing them is that their defense is among the worst in the league. Now that it’s clear that the Cowboys’ offense is good enough to compete in the playoffs, they may be reevaluating whether or not they want to go all in this season.
According to longtime NFL analyst Trey Wingo, the Cowboys have reached out to the Raiders about possibly trading for Crosby.
How Much Is Crosby Worth in a Trade?
The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Some would argue that Crosby is a better overall player than Parsons due to how he affects the run game, but he’s slightly older.
Regardless, the Raiders are going to want a similar haul to what the Cowboys got. Plus, Dallas wouldn’t have to give Crosby a new contract.
The baseline for a trade has to be two first-round picks. Crosby is 28 years old, a team leader and a relentless worker. He might be the best run-defending defensive end in the NFL, while also being an elite pass rusher. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones cited run defense as a reason they traded Parsons away, but that wouldn’t be a problem for Crosby. It’s possible that the Raiders could ask for even more than what Dallas got for Parsons.
Would Raiders Actually Trade Crosby?
Crosby is the heart and soul of the Raiders. Outside of left tackle Kolton Miller, he’s been with the team longer than any other player.
He’s the face of the franchise and the favorite player in the fan base. However, many fans have accepted that it’s probably best for him to go elsewhere if he wants to win. Right now, the Cowboys are clearly a better team than Las Vegas, despite only having one more win.
Now, the Pete Carroll factor is impossible to ignore. He’s already the oldest head coach in NFL history. Even if it’s a rebuild, he’s going to push for a quick turnaround. Getting rid of your best player is going to make a turnaround take a lot longer.
If the Raiders traded Crosby, that would be an obvious front office decision and could be bad news for the coach’s long-term prospects. It seems more likely the team would wait until the offseason to make such a big move.
