The reunion is now complete. Kareem Hunt is now a memberonce again, from the Kansas City Chiefs’ active roster.
The story is full of hope, on more than one front. Aside from the obvious, the Chiefs have signed a position player who has struggled with some injuries to help bolster him, and the signing of Hunt also carries a story that has been cut short. For some Chiefs fans, it’s a chance to root for a player who threw it all away in his second season and hope for a little redemption with the same franchise.
But this is not about that.
Adding Hunt made sense at the moment. When a man goes to sea, you throw him a life raft. Don’t wait to ask him what he will do in the long term once his life is saved. So it made sense for the leaders to move into “support” mode. They had a newer veteran in Samaje Perine, a rookie free agent in Carson Steele, and roster detritus after that. This is not a formula for long-term success.
One week later, the Chiefs add Hunt to an interesting lineup. One week later, Perrin and Steele look a little different from the organization. Steele carried the load, literally, for 72 yards on 17 carries. Perine has had some nice moments himself and should become more comfortable the longer he’s with Patrick Mahomes and company. With Hunt’s arrival, a wealth of talent suddenly emerged.
But then things would seem too crowded.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire has indicated on social media that his return is coming soon, and reports made during the Chiefs’ broadcast on Sunday Night Football have backed up those rumors. Edwards-Helaire has been on the team’s non-football injury (NFI) list since the preseason, so he was forced to sit out the first four games. That could mean CEH joins Steele, Perine and Hunt for Week 5 against the Saints.
However, from here, the team’s best full-back, Isiah Pacheco, may not be that far behind. Pacheco was expected to miss six to eight weeks. He already missed the Falcons’ game, and since the Chiefs have a bye in Week 6, Pacheco could return as early as Week 9. This is of course a very positive expectation, but the scenario is entirely plausible.
What this could mean is that Hunt may only be available for four total games before the Chiefs get a fully loaded center again. There is not enough room for everyone on the list. At that moment, what will the leaders do?
Having too much talent is a good problem to have, but it’s a problem nonetheless. Did the bosses act too early? Not real. Knowing what they knew at the time, things looked dire in retreat. However, what will happen in position when the deck is stacked? The worthy person will be on the outside looking in.
Pacheco will remain in the lead. Perine is the best looking third back. Steele can run things at fullback, but he will still know that he is effective and cost-controlled for four seasons. Edwards-Helaire is on a cheap one-year deal but is a well-known player and the coaching staff trusts him. The team has also been very supportive of him so far and it’s hard to imagine him being the odd man out.
That leaves us with Hunt. But will the Chiefs part with the player they just signed, a player with a redemptive story to tell as he chases a Super Bowl ring after missing three others?
For now, this is just a fallout from a best-case scenario. The reality is that Pacheco may not be around for some more games, and even then, it’s hard to believe all of these sides will remain healthy and available moving forward. Chiefs cannot rely on CEH and Pacheco to be upright and effective over the next 18-20 weeks or so.
But if things go as hoped, and if everyone returns as soon as possible, the front office will have some very interesting decisions to make about the running back’s future.