Chiefs’ Kareem Hunt on short-yardage situations: ‘It’s wins and losses ’

The Kansas City Chiefs’ 28-7 win over the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football” featured two fourth-down conversions by running back Kareem Hunt. The first — during the Chiefs’ opening drive — was wasted by an interception a few plays later. The second, however, was a triumph: a third-quarter fourth-and-goal touchdown.

From two yards out, quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back, scrambled from the pocket and found Hunt leaking away from defenders in the end zone. The running back’s touchdown catch gave the Chiefs a 14-7 lead they would not surrender — and was yet another example of a Mahomes staple: a successful out-of-structure play that made a significant difference in a game.

But Hunt’s role in the play was also significant. After identifying a void where he could be available to Mahomes, he redirected his route. The veteran running back deserves a lot of credit for quick thinking in a high-pressure spot — but to Hunt, it was simply the result of understanding his quarterback.

“He is always keeping his eyes downfield,” Hunt told reporters on Wednesday. “He is always trying to make a play — no matter where he is on the field. He could be one yard away from out of bounds, and he still might throw a deep ball — or anything. He is always trying to make a play.”

The play showcased the chemistry between Mahomes and Hunt — players who have yet to spend an entire season together as starters. Much of it stems from the relationship they built as classmates from the 2017 NFL Draft. Hunt acknowledged how helpful it is to know the type of player Mahomes is from that shared experience of entering the league together.

“He is one of those guys that never quits,” the running back said of Mahomes. “He never gives up on a play. He is always going to try and make something happen. I just know that about him. So if I see him running around, I’m going to try and run around and get in his vision — and be the one he [chooses to] get him out of the situation.”

Making plays in crucial situations seems to be the name of Hunt’s game this season. The Chiefs have converted 14 fourth downs — and Hunt touched the ball on nine of them: seven successful fourth-down carries, plus two receptions that kept drives alive.

When you include third-and-short situations, Hunt has moved the chains on 18 of the 21 short-yardage, late-down scenarios. The 86% conversion rate is only slightly below that of Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Jalen Hurts (88% in those plays) — and he often receives assistance from his teammates.

But Hunt does it the traditional way.

“The guards up front have been doing a great job for me,” he declared. “I’m going to find a way to fall forward and get those necessary yards to keep the drive going. Those situations are big — it’s wins and losses off short yardage.”

Hunt’s impact may need to expand against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Starting running back Isiah Pacheco has been declared out after suffering an MCL sprain in Week 8’s game.

Without Pacheco, rookie running back Brashard Smith could also see a heavier workload, but seems to have a specific role in the offense. Veteran back Elijah Mitchell could also be an option. After signing with the team last spring, he has been a gameday inactive all year.

“He had a severe injury at one point — a lot of guys wouldn’t even come back from this thing — and he battled back,” said Reid of the fourth-year player, who missed all of 2024. “You could see him just get better every week during camp and then progressing through to now. He takes a lot of the reps with the scout team group. I would tell you we all have confidence in his playing ability.”

Still, it will be worth monitoring the Chiefs’ transactions leading up to Sunday’s game. There are two running backs on the practice squad who have more familiarity with system than Mitchell: Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Carson Steele. Either of these players could be elevated to the active roster for Sunday’s game.