In February of 2024, running back Kareem Hunt underwent sports hernia surgery. In March, the Cleveland Browns let his contract run out. So he continued his recovery — and hoped that an NFL team would need an experienced running back.
“I was in Cleveland,” the running back recalled on Thursday, speaking after the third practice of the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 training camp. “I was hanging out with my family [and] taking my boat out every day.”
Still, he knew what he had to do once he felt up to it.
“[I started] working out, staying in shape, man, [and] waiting on the call. I wasn’t trying to celebrate my birthday — but I got to celebrate my birthday, so that was cool.”
On August 6, Hunt marked his 29th birthday with his family in Cleveland. Exactly six weeks later, he was once again a member of the Chiefs — the team that had drafted him in 2017’s third round. In Week 5, he started his first game for Kansas City since November 19, 2018. Over the next 16 games (including eight starts before Isiah Pacheco’s return from injury), he collected 1,034 yards from scrimmage (and nine touchdowns) on 264 touches. That was his heaviest workload since his rookie season, when he had 1,782 yards from scrimmage and led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards.
“I think I did the best I could with taking care of my body,” Hunt said of his 2024 campaign. “It wasn’t easy, but I feel like later in the season — in the playoffs — I started really getting [into] a groove.”
Hunt had worked hard to stay in shape over the summer — but there was only so much he could do.
“You know, it’s hard to really simulate going out there and getting hit [while] training,” he noted. “Like, my track coach isn’t going to line up and tackle me or try to chase me down or anything like that. It’s a different type of speed out there from training by yourself [or] just working out.”
And he’s certain that starting his age-30 season with a full offseason (and going through training camp) will help him.
“It’s definitely an advantage,” he declared. “I get to be around guys who [are] pushing me — guys who [are] challenging me each and every day, instead of me trying to push myself [while] working out, staying in shape and making sure I hold myself accountable for what I eat.”
According to Hunt, that means avoiding food like fried chicken and his favorite snacks, including Swedish Fish and Twizzlers. But nothing will help him more than putting on the pads and playing some real football, which will start with Sunday’s practice.
Hunt is ready for it.
“You’ve got to bring it,” he said. “Everybody’s out here trying to fight for a spot. You know people are going to give you their best effort — and it’s all for a good cause. We’re just trying to make each other better out there, so you’ve just got to bring your game.”
In the meantime, he continues to be grateful for the opportunity to once again play for head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs.
“God must have had his hand on my shoulder or something,” he remarked, “because it’s crazy how things go full circle.”
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