Lions Meet With RB Kareem Hunt

This is the first known interest in Hunt since he wrapped up his second stint with the Chiefs in 2025. Hunt, a 2017 third-rounder who spent his first two seasons in Kansas City, led the NFL in rushing as a rookie. However, the Chiefs released Hunt late in 2018 after video surfaced of him pushing a woman to the ground and kicking her. He returned to K.C. in 2024 after a five-year run in Cleveland.

As Isiah Pacheco battled injuries from 2024-25, Hunt led the Chiefs in rushing in both seasons. He put together the fourth full season of his career last year and scampered for 728 yards and eight touchdowns on 163 carries.

Hunt only averaged 3.7 yards per attempt in ’25, though it should be noted a lot of his work came in short-yardage situations. The 5-foot-11, 216-pounder experienced plenty of successful in that role, as he converted an NFL-best 34 of 40 short-yardage attempts into first downs (h/t: Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star). That was twice the amount of the Rams’ Kyren Williams, who finished second with 17 conversions on 30 tries.

While Hunt was a useful cog in the Chiefs’ offense, they moved on from him and Pacheco in free agency. High-profile offseason addition Kenneth Walker is now the bell cow in Kansas City. A few weeks after winning Super Bowl LX MVP with the Seahawks in February, Walker inked a three-year, $43.05MM contract with the Chiefs.

If Hunt winds up signing with Detroit, it would set up a reunion between him and Pacheco. Then seeking a replacement for No. 2 running back David Montgomery, whom they traded to the Texans, the Lions gave Pacheco a fully guaranteed one-year contract worth $1.81MM. Although he entered training camp in line to back up superstar Jahmyr Gibbs, an MCL sprain has shelved Pacheco for two weeks.

It is unclear if Pacheco will be ready for the start of the regular season, which explains why the Lions are keeping their RB options open. If Pacheco is not good to go for Week 1, Sione Vaki – a two-year veteran with seven career carries – could open the season as Gibbs’ backup. Vaki missed the Lions’ Aug. 22 preseason game against the Commanders with back spasms, but head coach Dan Campbell said afterward “it’s not major” (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press).