Kareem Hunt

Career StatsB+

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	YPC
Career		121	5,775	55	4.1
2025		17	611	8	3.7
2024		13	728	7	3.6
2023		15	411

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Kareem Hunt delivered the kind of production that earns a B+ Contract Value Index relative to the RB pay band. At 30 years old with nine seasons of NFL experience, Hunt is operating as an established veteran in the complementary back space, and his $1.5M AAV on a one-year deal positions him as a bargain-bin free agent acquisition that carries minimal downside risk. The 2025 season saw him accumulate 143 receiving yards across 17 games, a limited counting-stat output that reflects his role-player status rather than any fundamental decline in capability—a distinction the media narrative has been careful to preserve, framing his Kansas City departure as a roster-construction call rather than a performance indictment. His B+ performance grade actually exceeds the statistical footprint, a gap that speaks to the intangible value scouts and analysts assign to his situational versatility and locker room presence, qualities that remain intact despite his age. The one-year structure removes any long-term cap anchor or salary escalation risk, making this the definition of low-commitment depth spending; as multiple outlets have noted, franchises like Las Vegas view him as a legitimate upgrade option for their backfield without any meaningful financial commitment beyond a single season. For a 30-year-old journeyman free agent, Hunt's CVI reflects realistic market pricing—he's neither overpaid nor undervalued, occupying the exact lane the league's middle tier of teams use to round out their running back rotation.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Kareem's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Kareem Hunt is a nine-year veteran and former rushing title holder who has carved out a durable, high-value role as a complementary back. Earning a B+ grade overall, Hunt remains a credible NFL contributor despite entering his age-30 season as a free agent. His career body of work places him comfortably among the league's more reliable veteran backs with proven big-game experience. Hunt's current-season efficiency shows some wear, as his 3.75 yards per carry trails the NFL average of 4.11 — a legitimate concern for a back his age. However, his 35.9 rush yards per game exceeds the league average of 22.39, reflecting consistent volume usage and situational value. His 0.47 rushing touchdowns per game also outpaces the NFL average of 0.29, confirming he remains a genuine red-zone threat regardless of the efficiency dip. Hunt's grade has trended downward — from a B- in 2024 to a C+ in 2025 — which mirrors the typical production curve for backs crossing into their thirties. The ceiling here is a productive rotational or change-of-pace role on a contender, not a feature-back workload. Teams evaluating him should watch for early-season burst and pass-protection execution, two factors that will determine whether he earns a meaningful roster spot or fades toward retirement.

How Kareem Compares at the Position

Kareem Hunt ranks 24th of 175 graded running backs by performance. That slots Kareem between Chuba Hubbard (B+) just ahead and Quinshon Judkins (B+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Kareem Hunt enters 2026 free agency as a veteran depth option rather than a marquee target, reflecting his role-player status despite nearly a decade in the league. Media coverage is primarily transactional—focused on whether the Chiefs will retain him or pivot to younger talent—rather than celebrating his contributions or criticizing his play. The headlines suggest organizational uncertainty about Hunt's future role, which typically signals a player on the periphery of roster decisions rather than a cornerstone piece. Fan and media perception remains neutral-to-cautious; Hunt is respected as a reliable contributor but not positioned as a high-priority free agent in a crowded 2026 market. His modest contract value and lack of recent accolades indicate he will likely land as a complementary back on a contending team rather than command significant investment or attention.