Have you ever spotted something on sale, and just hesitated for a second – and poof – it’s gone? A heartbreaking moment, right? That’s exactly what happened to the Chicago Bears this offseason. They had their eyes locked on a rushing champion and a proven offensive weapon – but just when they were ready to make the move, Andy Reid swooped in and snatched that player from right under their noses.
That’s right. The new offensive guru of the Chicago Bears, Ben Johnson, had almost pulled a move that could have turned the tables in their favour in the AFC. But Andy Reid wasn’t going to let that happen. And just like that, he signed up one of Patrick Mahomes’ most trusted playmakers – Kareem Hunt.
Hunt, who was once a dominant force in Kansas City before parting ways in 2018. He wasn’t just another running back during Patrick Mahomes’ early years—he was like a safety net for the young QB. In 2017, his rookie season, he led the NFL in rushing 1,327 yards and 3 touchdowns. His presence in the backfield wasn’t just about running the ball—he was a dual-threat nightmare, catching passes and turning short gains into explosive plays. Defenses had to respect him as both a runner and a receiver, which helped open up Kansas City’s deep passing attack.
So, as he hit the market as a free agent. The Bears – Johnson’s new project – took this as the perfect opportunity to lock the dual threat for their team. Plus, they were in desperate need of backfield reinforcements. Kareem Hunt was their best shot – like a missing piece to the puzzle. Because one thing is crystal clear—the Bears needed to rebuild their offense this season, as last season it was a total disaster.
But there’s one more thing that made the move more logical – the connection with Bears’ running backs coach Eric Bieniemy. Reportedly, it was he who pushed the Bears to make a move—well, too late Coach, too late. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirmed this, tweeting: “Another option for Hunt before he signed back with #Chiefs – the #Bears, whose running backs coach, Eric Bieniemy, spent two seasons with Hunt in Kansas City. Chicago ended up bringing back Travis Homer, as @AdamSchefter reported.”
Another option for Hunt before he signed back with #Chiefs — the #Bears, whose running backs coach, Eric Bieniemy, spent two seasons with Hunt in Kansas City.
Chicago ended up bringing back Travis Homer, as @AdamSchefter reported. https://t.co/CArafbKXoF
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 18, 2025
In the 2024 season, the Bears run game was such a mess—because no one actually took control. They literally relied on rotating between Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, and rookie Roschon Johnson. Herbert only played 11 out of 17 games due to his injuries and when he did—well, it’s safe to say he wasn’t reliable. He was either boom or bust—in three games, he rushed for nearly 80 yards, but in others, he failed to reach even 50. And just when you thought his stats couldn’t get worse—he scored only two rushing TDs all season.
Plus, Foreman was just a temporary fix that just fizzled out as his 3.9 yards per carry wasn’t something that would strike fear into defenses. And, Roschon—just when Bears thought would emerge as the next big thing, came out as just another piece in the rotation that wasn’t dynamic enough, averaging just 3.7 YPC. That’s the kind of stat that makes defensive coordinators sleep easy at night.
So, Ben Johnson set his priorities straight – focus on the running game. He planned on recreating a similar dynamic he pulled while he was with the Detroit Lions—a combo package of David Montgomery’s power and Jahmyr Gibbs’ versatility, to keep the defenses from taking a breather. Enter—Kareem Hunt, a veteran who could handle short-yardage and pass-blocking situations, complimenting Herbert and Roschon perfectly. But just as they were closing in, Kansas City stepped in.
Andy Reid’s Countermove: Why the Chiefs brought Hunt back
If Ben Johnson saw Kareem Hunt as the missing piece for the Bears. Andy Reid saw it as an opportunity to finish some unfinished business. Because Hunt’s departure in 2018 wasn’t on a cheerful note. Plus, he was at the peak of his career. In 2018, Mahomes’ first season as a starter, Hunt was on pace for another dominant year, racking up 824 rushing yards, 378 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns in just 11 games—but for some off-field issues he was cut off abruptly by the Chiefs.
The chiefs had to adjust with other backs like Damien Williams, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire—more like an experiment gone wrong, and finally, Isiah Pacheco stepped in and actually knew what he was doing. So, when Hunt entered the free agency, Andy Reid played his moves accordingly. And he had already hinted in a press conference in February, that he desired more backfield depth. When asked about the Chiefs’ rushing attack, he emphasized the importance of having multiple reliable backs. “Pacheco is a tough runner, and we love what he brings, but you always need guys who can step in and take pressure off. We’ve seen that in the past, and that’s something we’re always looking at.”
But let’s be real, the Chiefs’ cap situation also had a major role to play here. They entered the offseason with just $20 million in their cap space. They couldn’t afford to sign up an expensive RB – so they thought why not just bring Hunt back? Who has reportedly signed up for a pocket-friendly deal of one year for just $1.5 million. Not bad Chiefs—smart move. And just like that, the reunion is on.
So, in the end, everything seems well at Kansas City as this move gives them that ‘break in case of emergency backfield plan.’ But for the Bears, well, they fumbled this one. A perfect example of—if you hesitate, you miss out. They were this close to having the best deal of this season for them—but let’s just say the timing was off.
The post NFL Rumors: Bears’ Ben Johnson Nearly Stole Patrick Mahomes’ Key Weapon Before Andy Reid & Chiefs Signed Him Back appeared first on EssentiallySports.
