The Kansas City Chiefs running game is reaching new heights in the Mahomes era

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kareem Hunt had modest expectations for himself when he returned to the Kansas City Chiefs last month after a six-year hiatus.

“My goal was to get back in football shape and just go out there and give it everything I have and make the most of every opportunity I get,” Hunt said. “I think I did it.” ''

Hunt actually did more than that. He brought the Chiefs running game to life.

The Chiefs are averaging 122 rushing yards per game, their best since 2015 and better than any season since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback. The improved running game is one of the main reasons the Chiefs are 7-0, the NFL's last undefeated team, especially in a season in which Mahomes has thrown more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (eight) and the Chiefs have a season behind them injury frequency at wide receiver.

Statistically, Hunt and the running game weren't great in Sunday's 27-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Hunt rushed for 59 yards on 21 carries.

But Hunt, who scored the Chiefs' first touchdown on a one-yard run, was effective enough.

“There wasn’t a lot of room there, so that’s OK,” coach Andy Reid said of Hunt’s statistical day. “He hits in there and he usually goes forward, so that’s a good thing.”

Hunt led the NFL in rushing as a rookie for the Chiefs in 2017 and had another big season the following year when he was released. But the Chiefs didn't average as many rushing yards in those seasons as they did this year (118.9 in 2017 and 115.9 in 2018).

This also comes after the Chiefs expected their passing game to produce more big plays, which wasn't what the team was hoping for after several key receivers were sidelined with injuries. But the surge in the running game has made up for the lack of big plays. That's due in large part to the arrival of Hunt, who was brought in when the Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco to a broken leg. Hunt has 84 carries in four games, which is 21 per game.

“I can’t imagine how he feels on a Monday,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said of Hunt’s heavy workload. “It may not feel very good, but it's a sacrifice he's making for this team. “He loves it. We like to give him the ball. The offensive line blocks their tail-off with the tight ends. It's really a good thing for the offense right now.

“I was here with him in 17 and he reminds me a lot of the same player. We love where he is. He's physical and when we ask him to get three, he usually gets four. And if we ask him to.” “Get four, he gets five.”

The Chiefs are running well with a group of defensemen that were largely unwanted by other teams when they arrived. Hunt was a free agent all summer. Samaje Perine was released by the Denver Broncos after training camp. Carson Steele is an undrafted rookie.

Even Pacheco came to the Chiefs as a seventh-round draft pick in 2022.

“(Hunt) is just a different style,” Reid said. “They're all different actually, but he's got that 'Hunt' style and that's what helped us in that way.” So you lose a great player like we did with Pacheco and these other guys step up and Kareem comes from the street and helps us. That's great. And we still have (Clyde Edwards-Helaire) back there, who was a great player too.”

It was mainly Hunt's position. Steele had two carries and Perine had two pass receptions against the Raiders, but otherwise Hunt carried the workload.

“He did a great job of getting what was there and then making plays when his number was called,” Mahomes said. “He feels like every time he falls forward and gets five yards, six yards, whatever it may be.” That makes my job at the quarterback position and for the offense in general easier when you find yourself in advantageous situations with down and distance.

“As more men get better and healthier, he may not have to wear 30 anymore, (but) whenever he gets the chance, he's going to go out there and make it count.”