Heading into Week 8, the Kansas City Chiefs are the NFL's lone unbeaten team despite the fact they are not yet at the peak of their powers. Many of the team's storylines are still developing, but there are a few things we're gaining clarity on. Here are three things on my mind as the team turns the page on a win over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7.
Bringing Kareem Hunt home was the right decision
By now, we're all familiar with running back Kareem Hunt's unceremonious exit from the team in 2018 behind a domestic violence incident. After a stellar rookie campaign in which he led the NFL in rushing, the Toledo product was poised for another Pro Bowl-caliber sophomore season. One unflattering video clip and a dishonest recounting later, he received an ouster from his drafted team.
Several weeks ago Kansas City's present-day starter — Isiah Pacheco — was felled by a fractured fibula. Fortunately for the Chiefs, Hunt was an unrestricted free agent anxiously awaiting a call he likely never thought would come.
Since rejoining the team, Hunt leads the Chiefs with 249 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 63 carries. He's averaging nearly 4 yards per carry and has become a focal point of the offense with other injuries mounting at the skill positions.
Setting the moral component aside, his reunion with the Chiefs has been a stroke of luck for the two-time defending world champions. With Rashee Rice expected to miss the remainder of the season and Hollywood Brown already sidelined for an extended period of time, Kansas City has unexpectedly re-invented itself as a run-heavy offense. When Pacheco returns to the active roster, Kansas City will have one of the most formidable backfields in all of football.
The Chiefs still need to trade for a wide receiver
Notwithstanding a long list of injuries to key offensive players, Kansas City has won its last two contests by a combined total of 23 points. In the Week 5 matchup with the New Orleans Saints, receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster led the way with a 7-catch, 130-yard performance. Sunday's tilt with the San Francisco 49ers saw far more pedestrian production from the position group, but the Chiefs still posted their highest point total of the young season (28). All of this in mind, there is zero doubt that general manager Brett Veach should still be actively calling other NFL teams to assess the market for wide receivers on the block.
To put this into perspective, Smith-Schuster's hamstring injury resurfaced in the Niners game, and that left Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore, and Mecole Hardman as the team's remaining pass-catching options at the position. That's untenable with 12 weeks to go in the regular season.
I won't waste time debating the names of trade candidates around the league. Whomever it might be, the Chiefs need real reinforcements in that room. If Kansas City's lucky, it'll get a late-season infusion from the return of Hollywood Brown. Unfortunately, that timeline is still very much unknown. On Sunday, the trifecta of Worthy, Watson, and Moore combined for just five catches and 44 receiving yards. That won't cut it as the season wears on.
The defense needs more production from edge players
The good news is that George Karlaftis posted arguably his best game of the season in Levi's Stadium on Sunday. The bad news is that Mike Danna's been nagged by injuries throughout the first five weeks, Charles Omenihu's return is an open question, and the reserves on the edge have not often been the answer to providing adequate run support and a consistent pass rush. Wide receiver is the one position everyone is focused on the Chiefs bolstering. Defensive end is the wobbly wheel that isn't making headlines.
As it stands, the Chiefs are one of the six-worst teams in the NFL at sacking the quarterback. This may prove more problematic in the weeks to come if cornerback Jaylen Watson has to miss significant time. On Sunday, Watson left Levi's Stadium in a walking boot and head coach Andy Reid is anticipating bad news. Kansas City does have talent in the cupboard at the position, but Watson's played at such a high level in 2024, it's tough not to imagine at least a slight dropoff between him and whoever will succeed him as the starter (my money's on Nazeeh Johnson). Kansas City can help its young and injury-riddled cornerback room by adding another bona fide pass rusher.
The Chiefs are entering Week 8 with their second roadie (in as many weeks) to Sin City to meet the hapless 2-5 Las Vegas Raiders. They'll have another week to assess injured players' progress and how soft the trade market might be for acquiring help. I'm anxious to see how things continue to develop this week leading into a winnable game in Vegas. The NFL deadline is approaching in two weeks and time is running out for roster reinforcements. Those they have made are paying off so I'm curious to see if they'll stand pat or continue to bolster the squad. I believe we'll soon have those answers.