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Kareem Hunt will own Chiefs rushing record in no time

By Farzin Vousoughian

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 30: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs through a huge hole against the Denver Broncos during the first half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 30, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. ( Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images )
KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 30: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs through a huge hole against the Denver Broncos during the first half of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on October 30, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. ( Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images ) /
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If Kareem Hunt stays in Kansas City for a long time, stays healthy and if the Chiefs use him right, he will shatter the franchise rushing record quickly.

At the end of Kareem Hunt’s first NFL carry, which was also Kansas City’s first offensive play of the 2017 season, he fumbled the football and the New England Patriots recovered. But Hunt quickly rebounded, coming away with 148 rushing yards, 98 receiving yards and three total touchdowns to help pull off an upset against the Patriots to open up the 2017 NFL season.

Hunt broke the NFL record for most yards from scrimmage in a debut with 246, previously held by wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who had 217 yards when he played for the Arizona Cardinals in his debut in 2003.

Along with all of Kansas City’s offense after the 5-0 start, Hunt struggled midway through the season, but recovered when the Chiefs finished the season with a four-game winning streak. Despite the struggles, Hunt still led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie with 1,327.

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Coming off a promising rookie campaign, Hunt is on pace to not only surpass Jamaal Charles for the franchise’s rushing record, but to snag it quicker than expected.

In Charles’ nine-year career, he dealt with a lot of adversity, even after breaking the franchise rushing record. In 2008 and 2009, he spent time backing up Larry Johnson before Johnson was released. In 2010, Charles led the AFC in rushing yards with 1,467, but finished second on the team in rushing attempts. In addition, Charles suffered season-ending injuries in 2011, 2015 and 2016, missing a total of 38 games in those three years combined.

In his nine years with Kansas City, Charles played 103 games while earning his 7,260 yards. Charles averaged 70.5 yards per game.

Hunt, who is currently 25 spots behind Charles for most rushing yards in team history, averaged 82.9 yards per game. That is the second best behind Priest Holmes’ 93.4 yards per game.

One obvious factor for Hunt to surpass Charles would be longevity. Staying in Kansas City for most of his career would ensure Hunt that he will be the new rushing king of the franchise. Another key factor would require Hunt to stay out of trouble. Hunt was involved in two minor incidents this offseason, one in February and one in June.

In addition to that, staying healthy and being used the right way will help Hunt reach the top of that list. With Andy Reid’s track record of successful running backs, Hunt is likely to succeed and break many rushing records, including the franchise’s career rushing mark.

If Hunt’s average of nearly 83 yards per game continues, he should pass Charles midway through his sixth season in his 88th career game, which would be in 2022. At this rate, Hunt would be on pace to rush for nearly 8,000 yards in his career by the time he concludes his sixth season.

Realistically, Hunt could suffer an injury that could force him to miss some games. If we consider injuries and give Hunt a 16-game leeway, he should still pass Charles for the franchise rushing record by the end of his seventh season and do it in fewer games.

Next: Why Jamaal Charles should have much better career numbers

If Hunt stays healthy, he should reach the 10,000-yard mark, a feat no Chiefs player has accomplished while in Kansas City, during his eighth season.

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