KC Chiefs: Now as good a time as ever for Kareem Hunt reunion

As the NFL offseason starts to hit a slow point and free agency has died down with the exception of a few big names still left over looking for the right situation, there won't be much news unless someone gets extended or someone gets in trouble. We're at that point in the offseason.

That being said, why not go ahead and discuss some interesting hypotheticals? Let's not bury the lede any longer. Now is as good of a time as ever for a reunion between Kareem Hunt and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now, I already know what most people are thinking: something like "This is nonsense" or "The Chiefs already told Kareem Hunt he'd never play for them again". While the general sentiment is that Hunt will never play for the Chiefs again, that doesn't mean it's impossible or that it is necessarily true. It's actually a misconception that Hunt could never play for the Chiefs again.

While a reunion with Kareem Hunt and the Chiefs is highly unlikely, it's also important to never say never.

What most people don't realize or remember is while general manager Brett Veach did reportedly tell Hunt he would no longer play for the Chiefs at the time he also didn't rule out a return one day.

"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."

When you think about it, if there was ever a time for Hunt to make his return to Kansas City and redeem a once-promising legacy with the team, that time would be right now. Hunt is still sitting on the free agent market in late spring and even, though. The Chiefs don't necessarily have a pressing need at running back, but could use another quality back at the position.

Currently, Isiah Pacheco is still recovering from injuries sustained during the 2022-2023 regular season and won't be available until mid-training camp and the only players behind him are 31-year-old Jerick McKinnon, UDFA rookie Deneric Prince and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. If Pacheco goes down again at any point that's not exactly a group you're thrilled about.

Bringing in Hunt has its advantages. Hunt is still only 27 years old and has relatively low wear and tear after essentially splitting carries with star Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb throughout his time there. Most Chiefs fans know what Hunt is capable of by now. He's a great pass-catching back with elite contact balance and is trustworthy in pass-protection situations. Would you be getting 100% of what Hunt brought you the last time around? Maybe not, but getting 75-80% of what he was seems realistic.

While last year was a bit of a down year for Hunt, he's still averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry in every other year of his career and if things work out, he could eventually replace Jerick McKinnon as the No. 2 back on this team once he ages out of the role. It'd also just be a really cool story to see Hunt return and repair his image with the organization as he seems to have learned his lesson.

How realistic is a reunion? Ultimately, it's not likely. If there was more of a desperation for help at the position then it'd make a little more sense and on top of it, the Chiefs have virtually zero cap space right now making even a minimum contract difficult to afford at the moment. Though, even if it doesn't happen right now, doesn't mean it couldn't happen later if the opportunity still presented itself.