Kareem Hunt rumors: Multiple teams are interested in former Chiefs running back

Kareem Hunt might actually be in a position to make a bit more money than expected with the rumors that multiple teams are ready to bring him in for a look.

Kareem Hunt is uncertain when he will even be available to step onto an NFL field once again, given his current status on the Commissioner’s Exemption list. But when the powers-that-be declare him eligible, Hunt is likely already going to have a new team at the ready, per Adam Schefter.

The reality is that the market for Kareem Hunt is remarkably ripe at this time of year. The upcoming NFL draft class is considered fairly weak on impact talent (e.g. there’s no Saquon Barkley or even a Top 10/15 back among draft rumors), which means teams with significant needs in the backfield will be looking elsewhere. Hunt comes with significant baggage, but he’s also made a tremendous impact on the field.

Schefter is reporting that Hunt has “multiple teams interested” at this stage, which likely means that he will sign as a free agent with a new team within the next few weeks. After the Super Bowl, teams will likely do their homework before the new league year (and NFL free agency) opens on March 14. One team will likely be able to check off a major point of their offseason to-do list before FA even begins.

For the sake of review, Hunt was released by the Chiefs in early December after TMZ Sports obtained and released a video showing the running back’s involvement in an incident from last February. At the time, he was accused of assault, but Hunt filed a cross-complaint against the victim stating that she was the one who assaulted him. Given the lack of evidence known at the time and the fact that the cops never filed charges in the incident, Hunt was able to not only stay on the roster but retain his starring role for the Chiefs offense.

The video, however, contradicted Hunt’s own testimony to the Chiefs. Reports soon leaked saying the Chiefs had questioned Hunt on multiple occasions about his behavior that night, and Hunt later admitted to lying to the franchise multiple times. It was because of that—his unwillingness to tell the truth—that Hunt was set free.

Hunt comes with a serious string of offseason issues that show a lack of character and anger issues. Fortunately, reports have also surfaced saying that Hunt has been doing the work of getting help for those concerns. He’s reportedly focused on counseling and has a pastor mentoring him through this offseason.

Hunt led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie in 2017 and was well on his way to a second straight Pro Bowl in 2018 with the Chiefs.