Chiefs' Andy Reid Noticing Difference In Veteran Running Back Kareem Hunt

Last season, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt was signed off the couch after Week 2 when Isiah Pacheco went down with injury.

The veteran didn't have a preseason behind him, so he had to get in shape on the fly, which isn't an easy thing to do, but Hunt made it work, posting 728 yards and seven touchdowns from his 13 games.

But now, Hunt re-signed with the Chiefs this offseason and has been able to get in the work from Day 1, something he wasn't able to do 12 months ago.

And head coach Andy Reid has noticed the difference as training camp got underway.

"He's had an offseason, he missed two offseasons," Reid said. "He's had this offseason, he's worked hard, now he's coming into training camp, he's in good shape, and I would expect good things. He'll be in there rotating and doing his thing. He's a good, solid football player, love having him here."

Set to be part of a dynamic running back room alongside Pacheco, Elijah Mitchell, and rookie Brashard Smith, there will be a fight for reps in Reid's offense to determine the depth chart for the regular season.

Granted, Hunt and Pacheco are likely the clubhouse leaders right now, but Mitchell and Smith bring a speed element that Kareem and Isiah don't possess, so that will make how the room shakes out over the coming weeks really interesting.

For Hunt, yes, he made it work last year without a preseason, and now that he's able to get in the work, we imagine we will see a far better version than we did last season.

And that only means good things for a Chiefs run game that desperately needs improvement.