The Kansas City Chiefs' being eliminated from the playoffs clearly changes how head coach Andy Reid must manage the roster moving forward. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is done for the year, so chances are the next three games won't be competitive, leaving Reid's staff with some interesting decisions to make.
The final three weeks of the season should be used to evaluate young players and fringe roster pieces. Older players should be shut down or put into a lesser role, with veteran running back Kareem Hunt being at the top of this list.
Hunt is slated to hit free agency in the offseason, and if the Chiefs want him back, there's no sense in putting unnecessary mileage on his body. This makes sense when you consider that he's played an average of 46.8 offensive snaps since Week 9 compared to 23.5 in his first eight outings.
Hunt has done a solid job in a season where Isiah Pacheco has let the Chiefs down. Considering how Pacheco's contract is also slated to come off the books, there's a good chance that Hunt could be in the mix to be Kansas City's RB1/2 again next season, making it clear what has to be done.
Chiefs Must Shut Kareem Hunt Down to End the Season
Hunt has been solid when called upon this season, racking up 557 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 148 carries while also picking up 122 more yards and another score on 15 catches in 14 games. He might not be the explosive force he once was, but his reliability in short-yardage situations can't be ignored. Without him, the Chiefs' offense would be much worse than it has been.
Not only would a bench give Hunt some much-deserved rest, but it would also open up the door to evaluate rookie RB Brashard Smith as well. The first-year runner's snap count has been sheltered this season, and moving Hunt to the bench would allow Smith to truly show what he's capable of.
On top of that, Mahomes' future is in question after a season-ending ACL injury. Chances are that Kansas City's attack will struggle without its QB1 under center, and having a familiar and productive face like Hunt on the unit will make the offense a bit more bearable to watch.
The Chiefs should view the final weeks as almost an extension of the preseason, protecting future assets while evaluating players that could factor into the 2026 campaign. For Hunt, benching him might be a difficult sell in the middle of a resurgent season, but it is the right call for both sides, saving whatever the veteran might have in the tank for when the games actually matter next year.