The Kansas City Chiefs kicked off their offseason with a bang. Just as the free-agency tampering period got underway, the Chiefs agreed on terms with reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to bolster their rushing attack.
The former Seattle Seahawks star is poised to do most of the heavy lifting in Missouri; however, that doesn't mean Walker won't need some help in Kansas City's backfield. That's why the door might be open for Kareem Hunt to run things back with the Chiefs, at least one more time.
Door Still Isn't Shut on Kareem Hunt in Kansas City
Hunt may not be the payer he once was, but his ties to offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and the Chiefs cannot be overlooked. He was there when he led the league in rushing yards as a rookie in 2017, which was also the last time the Chiefs had a 1,000-yard rusher.
The Chiefs brought Hunt back after his tenure with the Cleveland Browns, so they clearly still think highly of him. And, while Walker will do most of the hard work, Hunt was still efficient in short-yardage and goal-line situations last season, scoring eight touchdowns on 15 attempts within the five-yard line, according to Fantasy Pros.
The Seahawks used Zach Charbonnet more near the end zone, with Walker serving more as a three-down back and true workhorse. The Chiefs can replicate that formula, all while Brashard Smith is there for obvious passing downs and the two-minute offense.
Of course, Hunt's numbers from last season were far from impressive. He averaged just 3.8 yards per attempt, but he still led the team with 611 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 18 receptions on 25 targets for 143 yards and one touchdown.
The Chiefs don't need Hunt to be the tackle-breaking machine he was in his prime. They now have Walker as Patrick Mahomes' primary ally to help wear opposing defenses down. Hunt, however, is still the team's best option as a mauling guy who can do his damage between the tackles to get an additional yard.
More than that, it shouldn't take a lot to convince Hunt to come back.
There may not be much of a market for him outside of Missouri, and Spotrac projects his market value at just $1.9 million per year. According to OverTheCap, the Chiefs have $21.71 million in available cap space, so money shouldn't be an issue.
Walker will instantly make the backfield better, but relying on a one-man plan could be a recipe for disaster. Bringing Hunt back on a team-friendly deal is in the Chiefs' best interest, allowing them to use the rest of their funds on other offseason needs.