KC Chiefs roster: Darwin Thompson faces make-or-break season

Darwin Thompson still has two years left on his rookie contract for the K.C. Chiefs. That’s typically decent job security knowing that you’re a cost-controlled asset for any team, as long as you are competitive enough to make the final roster. That sort of combination of a team’s investment and a low financial hit will often help players stick through the duration of that deal.

Unfortunately, Thompson plays running back, one position that seems to rotate players a bit more than others. And that means that Thompson is likely facing a make-or-break season with the Chiefs.

In his first two seasons in the NFL, Thompson still looks like a back positioned to compete for a spot on the active roster as much as ever despite knowing the system intimately after two years. Instead of climbing the depth chart, Thompson has watched the Chiefs import veteran additions like LeSean McCoy and Le’Veon Bell in front of him and a fellow young player like Darrel Williams climb beyond him.

During his rookie campaign, Thompson wasn’t trusted with much of the offensive load in a lighter backfield that featured significant change. Damien Williams averaged 2.1 yards/carry during the first half of the season and McCoy didn’t secure the football enough. Despite the opportunity, Thompson was given only 37 carries for 128 yards on the ground.

Darwin Thompson is likely on the roster bubble for the Chiefs.

In his second season, Thompson was buried under more talent after the Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round. Damien Williams opted out, but the Chiefs still kept a crowded room and that meant even less playing time for Thompson in his second season than his first. He finished with 34 total touches on the season for 162 yards, down from 46 touches during his rookie year.

Thompson came into the NFL as a long shot of a back, a one-year wonder who produced big numbers at Utah State and showed an incredibly tough running style. It’s possible that he needed these last two years to develop at the pro level for a heavier offensive load.

However, the idea that the Chiefs are planning to give Thompson more work feels like a stretch. Edwards-Helaire and Darrel Williams are still the 1-2 punch in front of him and Jerick McKinnon‘s presence as a proven well-rounded back with good hands and solid blocking skills is going to challenge for playing time in 2021. There’s also the competition provided by the likes of Elijah McGuire and Derrick Gore for roster spot.

There was a lot to like about Thompson’s potential given the way he burst upon the scene at Utah State, and a sixth round pick seemed like a nice grab at the time. However, Thompson’s usage rate is trending downward heading into another season in which he’s getting to be a bit more expensive (he will see his salary cross the $1M threshold next year in his final season under contract). Given how rarely he’s called upon, the Chiefs could save some easy money by rolling with a younger player to round out the roster.

It will be interesting to see how Thompson responds to being on the roster bubble this preseason and if he can make waves unexpectedly to upend the depth chart. He’s surprised us all before and turned in unexpected production. It’s time for him to reach inside and find that ability once again.