The Kansas City Chiefs have been unable to find someone who can replace the production that Kareem Hunt had in 2018. That is precisely why the Chiefs should consider a reunion with Hunt in free agency next year.
Last year, Kansas City's offense was chugging along with Hunt as one of the focal points. The former third-round pick out of Toledo was able to gain 824 yards on 181 attempts and seven touchdowns on the ground in 11 starts.
Hunt also continued to show his receiving ability as he caught 26 passes for 378 yards and another seven touchdowns. Unfortunately, a video of Hunt shoving and kicking a woman in a hotel surfaced, causing the NFL to take action for Hunt's inexcusable actions.
The NFL immediately placed the dual-threat running back on the Commissioner's Exempt List for the rest of the 2018 season. Along with landing on the Commissioner's Exempt List, Kansas City wasted no time in releasing Hunt.
Then, back in February, the Cleveland Browns chose to take a chance on signing the troubled running back. Upon joining the Browns, Hunt was handed an eight-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
While he served his suspension, the Chiefs have been using a mixture of Damien Williams, LeSean McCoy, and Darrel Williams at running back. None of those guys have been able to prove that they deserve to have the starting job moving forward.
With Hunt in 2018, Kansas City averaged 115.9 rushing yards per game (16th in the NFL). Now, without Hunt in the mix, the Chiefs are averaging only 94.5 rushing yards per game (24th in the NFL).
As for his short stint with the Browns, he's been able to carve out a decent-sized role despite Nick Chubb being the starting running back. Since making his debut in Week 10, Hunt has garnered 125 rushing yards on 25 carries and a touchdown.
Where Hunt has done the most of his damage in 2019 is as a receiving threat. The third-year running back has hauled in 20 receptions for 118 yards and a touchdown in just four games.
Yes, it has to be mentioned that the Chiefs are the ones who released Hunt because of him making a terrible mistake. However, Kansas City has the infrastructure that can help the young running back grow from his inexcusable behavior.
To aid Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs could definitely use a weapon like Hunt in the backfield. In the two seasons that Hunt was in Kansas City, he flashed the potential of possibly being one of the best running backs in the NFL.
Depending on Hunt's asking price, Kansas City should consider bringing him back in 2020. Adding Hunt and bolstering the defense a bit more would make the Chiefs Super Bowl favorites in 2020.
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