Free agent pass-catching running back options for the KC Chiefs
By Matt Conner
Rex Burkhead
Just like Gio Bernard, Rex Burkhead is a nice third-down back with nice hands who got his start with the Cincinnati Bengals. After spending his rookie deal with the Bengals, Burkhead jumped ship for more successful waters with the New England Patriots and won a Super Bowl title with them in 2018. That stint under Bill Belichick raised Burkhead’s profile league-wide considerably, which is likely why we’re still mentioning him here.
Burkhead might have a limited skill set, but he’s proven to be a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield, especially when it matters most. During the Pats’ Super Bowl run in ’18, Burkhead carried the ball 23 times for 96 yards and 3 touchdowns and caught all seven targets thrown his way for another 45 more yards. In fact, in five separate postseasons, Burkhead has caught every single target but one with a 4.7 yards/carry average as well. That’s a solid performer when it matters most.
The question here is how much Burkhead might have left in the tank. He will be 31-years-old in July and he’s coming off of a season that ended prematurely due to a knee injury. Before the injury, Burkhead was still earning more snaps in a backfield rotation for the Patriots than anyone else, including much younger options. Perhaps that bodes well that Burkhead is still reliable once healthy. If so, the Chiefs could find themselves a candidate with championship experience of his own.