The Kansas City Chiefs have reached agreement on a one-year, $2.8 million deal with free agent running back Carlos Hyde on Saturday.
The Kansas City Chiefs added some further depth and talent to their stable of running backs with the signing of free agent Carlos Hyde on Saturday. Hyde had set up a visit with the Chiefs immediately after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday.
Hyde was released by the Jags in a cost-cutting move that included several others including safety Tashaun Gipson and defensive lineman Malik Jackson. Hyde was predicted to hit the free agent market after a lackluster showing for the Jags after the team traded a fifth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for him last October.
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Hyde signed with the Browns last year at this time in free agency, agreeing to a three-year, $15 million deal last March. One month into the season, John Dorsey traded Hyde given the emergence of second-round pick Nick Chubb as well as the presence of Duke Johnson. Hyde was supposed to help with the absence of Leonard Fournette in Jacksonville.
The reason the Chiefs were able to get Hyde on the cheap is due to a lack of productivity in either Cleveland or Jacksonville last season, averaging 3.3 yards/carry between the two stops. Hyde is now in an ideal position personally to showcase his worth in the NFL’s most potent offense. The Chiefs’ plethora of weapons and offensive imagination should give Hyde plenty of room to run.
The addition of Hyde gives the Chiefs another well-rounded running back who can also be a reliable pass catcher. Given the one-year deal, the Chiefs should also benefit from the contract year scenario as Hyde hopes to not only stay consistent but healthy. Teaming with Damien Williams, the Chiefs now have a primary offensive tandem in the backfield as they will likely watch Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West leave via free agency.