Detroit Lions ‘In Contact’ With 31-Year-Old Former Pro Bowler

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Detroit Lions ‘In Contact’ With 31-Year-Old Former Pro Bowler

Detroit Lions 'In Contact' With 31-Year-Old Former Pro Bowler — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Andrew Buller-Russ · Sportsnaut

Wed, October 28, 2026 at 8:04 PM UTC ·

2 min read

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After back-to-back wins, the Detroit Lions are starting to heat up. Next up is perhaps their toughest challenge yet, a faceoff with the undefeated Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, but the 4-2 Lions are confident in their abilities, especially considering they've yet to lose at Ford Field in the 2026 NFL season.

Yet, just because the Lions boast one of the NFL's best offenses, it doesn't mean general manager Brad Holmes isn't still looking for ways to help take more pressure off Dan Campbell, Jared Goff and Co.

Detroit Lions Considering Adding Kareem Hunt to Reduce Jahmyr Gibbs' Workload

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs at Las Vegas Raiders — Jan 4, 2026; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao (20) looks to tackle Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Lions love what they're getting from Jahmyr Gibbs, but he's also on track for a whopping 470 touches this season. That's a pace that feels unsustainable for the 5-foot-9, 202-pound back. In fact, 470 touches would be the most anyone in football has had since James Wilder shouldered 492 touches back in 1984.

However, help could be on the way.

According to ESPN's NFL insider Jeremy Fowler , the Lions are open to upgrading their backup running back situation, where Sione Vaki has just 16 carries for 56 yards this season. But that roster upgrade could come in a number of ways for the Lions, it may not necessarily come via trade. According to Fowler, they've been keeping in touch with former Pro Bowler Kareem Hunt.

"Eventually, Detroit could add an RB2. The Lions have been in contact with former rushing champion Kareem Hunt, a free agent who visited the team in the preseason. The Lions' thinking is simple: Giving Gibbs the ball is better than just about any alternative, and the Lions are trying to win games. But his durability over the course of a long 17-game season is something to watch."

Jeremy Fowler on Lions/Kareem Hunt

The 31-year-old Hunt is waiting for an opportunity in free agency after starting four of his 17 appearances with the Kansas City Chiefs last season. Hunt saw 163 carries for 611 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.

Ideally, the Lions won't have to rely on their backup running back much, but there will likely be a point where they'll want to find a way to reduce Gibbs' workload and Hunt could be part of the solution as someone they trust more than Vaki.