Patrick Mahomes Reacts to Kareem Hunt’s Return After 2018 Domestic Violence Fire

Kareem Hunt has made his long-awaited return to the Kansas City Chiefs nearly six years after being released following a highly publicized off-field incident. The Chiefs, in dire need of a replacement after losing quarterback Isiah Pacheco to a fractured fibula, turned to Hunt as a known and capable option.

Despite the controversy surrounding his departure, Hunt’s bond with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes never waned. The two were drafted by Kansas City in 2017 and have developed a strong friendship over the years. Mahomes expressed his joy at Hunt’s return, explaining that the two had stayed in touch even when Hunt was playing for the Browns, according to Pete Sweeney of Arrowhead Pride.

“He came to my wedding,” Mahomes said. “He went to Cleveland, had a good career, learned a lot and became a better person, and I’m glad he’s back now.”

Mahomes admitted that while Hunt made mistakes, he worked on himself and those around him to become a better person.

“I think everyone has friends who make mistakes, and obviously some are bigger than others,” Mahomes noted. “But at the same time, you want to make that person better and you want them to take the right steps to become a better person for themselves, their family and the rest of society.”

Kansas City head coach Andy Reid echoed Mahomes’ sentiments, emphasizing the importance of second chances and personal growth. Reid, who spoke with Hunt at Mahomes’ wedding, said he was happy to have the running back back but cautioned him to stay focused.

“Make sure you keep your nose clean, right?” Reid advised. “That’s the most important part, go play football. I think people deserve a second chance if they’ve done something to work on the first part.”

Hunt’s return is especially significant given his history with Kansas City. Once a rising star on the team, his career abruptly turned in 2018 when video emerged of him pushing and kicking a woman during an argument.

The Chiefs immediately fired Hunt, citing his dishonesty regarding the incident. Hunt has since spent five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, working to rebuild his career and personal reputation. He has been incident-free during his tenure in Cleveland, a testament to his ability to focus on football.

Reid remains cautious as Kareem Hunt returns to Chiefs

Despite Hunt returning to familiar territory, Andy Reid is wary of getting him out on the pitch. While the Chiefs were pleased with how Hunt looked in recent training, they admit he may need time to get back into football shape. Reid explained that Hunt will likely spend the first few days working with the scouting team and focusing on his fitness.

“I want to see him out there working (Wednesday) and where he is,” Reid said. “He’ll probably be doing more scout team stuff than he will actually be doing the group.”

Knowing the Chiefs’ playbook and the core safeties gives Hunt a slight advantage in readjusting to the offense. Still, the Chiefs are poised to rely on the combination of Carson Steele and Samaje Perine for the foreseeable future, and practice squad starter Keaontay Ingram has also been activated to the 53-man roster. While Hunt may not be ready to contribute in Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, his presence adds valuable depth to the running back position as the season progresses.

For Kareem Hunt, this second chance means more than just a chance to play football — it’s a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of the organization and the fans.

“He’s been able to carve out a great career for himself in the NFL,” Patrick Mahomes said. “And you’ve seen that he’s been able to keep his nose clean and be a better person, and that’s what you want to see.”

While the road back to Kansas City has been long and challenging, Hunt now has a chance to rewrite his story and once again help the team that first gave him a chance in the NFL.