For a team that has the best running back in the NFL, the Detroit Lions have a running back problem.
No, nothing is wrong with Jahmyr Gibbs (knock on wood) but his backup, Isiah Pacheco, who was signed in the offseason after the Lions let David Montgomery walk, injured his back recently, and there’s no clear timeline for his return.
Pacheco’s backup, Simone Vaki, is also out with a back injury, and that leaves second-year running back Jacob Saylors out of ETSU as the current backup.
Not good.
Fortunately, Brad Holmes is being proactive about this issue, hosting several running backs and signing veteran rusher Trayveon Williams, but Dan Campbell can’t feel great about his backfield heading into the season opener.
Which is exactly why the team hosted Kareem Hunt earlier this week.
There have been plenty of fans and experts who have criticized this new running back target for the Lions, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and if you’ve looked at the current crop of NFL free agent running backs, you’d understand that the team’s hand was forced.
Hunt is arguably the best running back available as of Aug. 27.
Don’t believe that? Here are some of the names left on the market:
- Austin Ekeler (coming off an Achilles tear at 31 years old)
- Joe Mixon (reportedly retiring and 30 years old)
- Antonio Gibson (coming off a torn ACL)
- Nick Chubb (just retired)
- Raheem Mostert (34 years old)
- Alexander Mattison (hasn’t averaged over 4.0 YPC since 2020)
- Miles Sanders (just arrested for DUI)
- Keaontay Ingram (hasn’t had a carry since 2023)
- Deneric Prince (0 career yards)
- Cam Akers (inconsistent throughout his career)
- Chase Edmonds (hasn’t had more than 50 carries since 2022)
Yeah, it’s pretty obvious that Hunt is the best option of the bunch.
Kareem Hunt is the best remaining option
Hunt has started 14 games over the past three seasons with Kansas City and Cleveland and has played a total of 62 games over the past four years, proving that he can stay healthy.
Although he hasn’t averaged more than 3.8 yards per carry since 2021, a good offensive line could change that. Detroit’s line is banged up a little bit, but when it’s at full-strength, Hunt would probably love to run behind those guys.
At a fresh 31 years old, Hunt has been proving for years that age is not too much of a concern for him. Sure, he’s lost a step or two since that electric start to his NFL career in Kansas City, but he still had over 750 yards from scrimmage last season to go along with nine total touchdowns.
Can’t be too mad at Hunt being a possible Plan C option.
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