Kareem Hunt was named a captain for the Kansas City Chiefs against the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday and coach Andy Reid explained the decision after the NFL game
Kareem Hunt is now playing alongside Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City (Image: Getty Images)
Andy Reid, the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, has revealed that the history between Patrick Mahomes and Kareem Hunt influenced the decision to make Hunt a captain for the game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Chiefs continued their unbeaten run in the NFL 2024 season with a 27-20 victory over the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, taking their record to 7-0. Mahomes threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns, while Hunt added 59 yards and a score on 21 carries.
Hunt is currently in his second stint with the Chiefs, having been released by the AFC West franchise in 2018 after leading the league in rushing as a rookie. He was brought back earlier this season following an injury to starting running back Isiah Pacheco.
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Despite the team’s impressive record, the Chiefs offense hasn’t quite lived up to their explosive standards of past seasons, with Mahomes throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. However, Hunt has impressed since being promoted to the active roster before Week 5, scoring at least one touchdown in each of his last three starts and running for over 50 yards in all of his appearances.
The decision to make Hunt a captain against the Raiders raised eyebrows among fans due to his acrimonious departure from the team six years ago. After the game, Reid discussed the decision. He told reporters: “Yeah, you know, he was in that class with Patrick and it’s almost like he kind of never left.
“That’s how I think the guys that have been here see that, and then the guys that haven’t been here have always heard about Kareem and the guys talking about him. He has that veteran leadership ability [and] runs tough. He’s been welcomed back as if he hadn’t left. That’s why we felt comfortable doing that.”
The Chiefs are aiming to win a third consecutive Super Bowl this season (
Getty Images)
Hunt has become a crucial part of the defending back-to-back Super Bowl champions’ offense. Since stepping in for the injured Pacheco, he has emerged as the team’s leading rusher, clocking up 308 yards and four touchdowns. His 3.9 yards per touch isn’t great, but it is an improvement on the 3.3 mark Hunt achieved with the Cleveland Browns in 2023.
Despite appearing more worn down this season, the veteran is helping Kansas City by eating up the clock and extending drives while averaging his most rushing yards per game (77) since his rookie season. It remains to be seen whether Hunt will be a captain again in Week 9 or if this was a one-time move.
Hunt and the Chiefs are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arrowhead Stadium on ‘Monday Night Football ‘ on November.
