Early reports said that the Kansas City Chiefs had moved on from Kareem Hunt completely but Brett Veach left the door open in comments on Thursday.
It wasn’t that long ago that the door back to Kansas City was believed to be completely shut on Kareem Hunt.
While other teams were flirting publicly with the idea of potentially signing the former Chiefs running back or at least talking about him in terms of a potential transaction (e.g. the Jets reportedly said no), officials in K.C. were focused solely on his personal well-being. Even more, according to an initial report from Nate Taylor of The Athletic, being a resource was the only role the Chiefs could play after they released him. Note the following from Taylor shortly after Hunt’s release in early December:
"“The Chiefs told Hunt that he would never play in their uniform again, but they would do what they could to help him remain in the NFL if he takes the necessary steps to improve his behavior and make better decisions.”"
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The line had been drawn, and Hunt himself admitted he’d lied to the team on multiple occasions. There was no chance for a relationship (e.g. a chance to play) without trust and the fault belonged completely to Hunt.
In the two months since his release, however, Hunt has shown himself to be a man seeking redemption (albeit a small sample size). He sat out the final five regular season games and another two postseason contests, which means he’s likely already served the bulk of any potential suspension that will be levied by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. He’s also sought out counseling for both alcoholism and anger management along with mentorship from a pastor.
Perhaps the team’s communications with Hunt have shown significant promise because the latest report straight from general manager Brett Veach left the door open on a potential return. Not that Veach stated those words, but the GM refused to draw the same line in the sand as before. During a conference call with the media on Thursday, Veach stated the following:
"“I think him playing for the Chiefs is on the back burner. Our focus and our hopes with Kareem is that he’s able to take the necessary steps to get his life in order and do the right things."
When pressed further for whether or not Hunt would be allowed to come back “if his personal life were in order,” Veach responded:
"“Look, I mean, I don’t ever like to speak in definitive terms on anyone … There are scenarios down the line and guys who have done everything asked of them through the league and through all the steps of rehabilitation, that sort of thing … It is solely about making sure he has his life on track, and football and Kareem is the furthest thing from our minds right now.”"
Between those two quotes, it is quite clear: the bridge back to Kansas City has not been burned as initially reported. That’s not to say at all that the report was wrong. Instead, it means that sentiments inside Arrowhead can and will change from time to time and a fan favorite who begged and begged, again per Taylor, to keep his job on the day he was released has likely been doing the same from a distance while jumping through all requisite hoops and then some.
If the Chiefs will, at any point, become amenable to a reunion, it would be the absolute best thing for Hunt. Sometimes they say a change of scenery can provide a blank slate or fresh start, but the reality is that Arrowhead has already proven to be full of people who are first and foremost concerned for Hunt’s well-being and cutting ties with Hunt came at a significant cost to the organization—the loss of a Pro Bowl performer that diminished the offense at the most important time of the season.
The Chiefs could have taken the public relations hit and stashed Hunt away, a la Reuben Foster and the Washington Redskins, but instead, everyone from the down has been saying and doing the right things concerning Hunt. They cut him to teach him a lesson. They gave him complete freedom to get all the help he needs. They’ve publicly said all the right things without a hint of any such tampering or otherwise behind the scenes.
There’s no way the Chiefs would allow Kareem Hunt back in the building—let alone onto the field—if he were not able to stand in the locker room and at the media podium with complete integrity and absolute accountability that he was a changed man. And that’s what makes the Chiefs the best possible place for him to return. It’s a loving environment that’s already proven to look out for him as a person more than a player filled with people who know him well.
The Chiefs already have a few stories of boys who became men in the red and gold—of formerly reckless lives changed for the better. While the team would never want to make a habit of adding questionable characters and making reckless personnel decisions, the Chiefs are in a position to welcome one of their own back into the fold and help him complete the work he’s started in the last couple months.
Here’s hoping that Kareem Hunt emerges from the cocoon of this offseason a changed man and that the Chiefs can find room to welcome him home.