Former KC Chiefs are still surprisingly free agents
By Matt Conner
Jerick McKinnon
Coming into this week, the Chiefs still had two players who were both productive out of the backfield waiting for a team to show them enough interest to sign them. On Tuesday, Darrel Williams found a home, but as press time, Jerick McKinnon is still hoping for a chance.
McKinnon was a late-season bloomer for the Chiefs last season as a well-rounded back who provided a nice punch down the stretch and into the postseason. Signed as a sort of flyer in free agency last year, McKinnon not only stuck on the roster but became a real weapon in the postseason at a time when the Chiefs needed someone to step up.
McKinnon had 315 yards from scrimmage in three playoff games for the Chiefs, for those wondering what he can bring to the table for a new team in ’22. He is a very capable blocker who also has the speed to get to the edge on offense while contributing as a very good pass catcher. For the Chiefs, he had 34 rushes for 150 yards and 14 catches for 165 yards, showing how balanced of a back he can be.
Given the postseason surge, it looked like McKinnon got hot at the right time to convince someone in the offseason to give him a better deal, but no one is biting so far. That’s a bit surprising to us at this stage in free agency.