Are The Philadelphia Eagles Willing To Gamble On Kareem Hunt?
Nov 11, 2018; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) runs the ball during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 26-14. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs have released Kareem Hunt after a video released by TMZ provided damaging footage of him attacking a woman. With his release, the NFL world and fans are in an uproar over the footage but it still begs the question of what’s next? Is there a team out there willing to give Hunt a second chance? If so, will the Philadelphia Eagles be one of them?
Let’s take into account what this will mean.
Firstly, the Eagles will indeed take some backlash. However, they’ve been here before with the Michael Vick situation. Secondly, Kareem Hunt will need to issue one of the strongest, heartfelt apologies ever and take in some counseling. No, he did not pull a Ray Rice and knock a woman out but he did physically assault a woman. Wrong is wrong. Whether it was out of frustration, anger, or retaliation, doesn’t matter. He made a huge mistake.
[BXAds]Now, lets’ look at the football side of things. The Eagles are in desperate need of a featured runner. How many players in the league can say they are better at that than Hunt? In only his second year in the NFL, Hunt has already rushed for 2151 yards and 15 touchdowns in just 27 games. This season, he has rushed for 824 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
The Philadelphia Eagles as a team have rushed for 1109 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per carry. To say that an upgrade is needed would be an understatement.
The Philadelphia Eagles Have No Choice But To Contact Kareem Hunt
Now, troubles aside, another reason they should go after Hunt is financial. Even with his numbers, teams will be afraid due to the backlash they will get. With this playing in the Eagles’ favor, they could sort of low ball Hunt and sign him to a trial basis deal.
Maybe another team like the Green Bay Packers or Oakland Raiders will claim him but if Hunt wants to win, and has his own choice, Philly is his best option. Paring Kareem Hunt with Carson Wentz, Zach Ertz, and Alshon Jeffery will give them arguably one of the best offenses in the NFL. What has plagued the defending Super Bowl Champs this year has been their inability to run the ball when needed.
What was once a powerful ground attack has been delegated to a weekly “who has the hot legs coming in”?. Hunt will add balance and stability to the backfield which will take pressure off Wentz.
This may be a long shot as Hunt will deal with the ramifications of his actions. He may have to sit out more games in 2019 or not play at all. If there’s a chance he will suit up again, the Philadelphia Eagles should be the first to make a call.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
