Offensive free agents that make sense for KC Chiefs

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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 21: Jerick McKinnon #1 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs onto the field during introductions against the Jacksonville Jaguars at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Chiefs’ Options at Running Back

Jerick McKinnon

One of Kansas City’s heroes of their 2022 Super Bowl-winning campaign was veteran running back Jerick McKinnon. In the final six weeks of the regular season, he accounted for nine touchdowns and 343 yards from scrimmage. His value on third down and in red zone situations has made him one of the Chiefs’ most valuable offensive skill position players.

McKinnon will be 31 in May, but he has less tread on his tires than a typical player his age. He missed all of the 2018 and 2019 seasons due to injury. This seems like a no-brainer for at least another season for Kansas City. Isiah Pacheco will enter 2023 as the clear starter at running back, but McKinnon is the best utility back in the Chiefs’ backfield arsenal.

Samaje Perine

If the Chiefs decide to move on from McKinnon and get younger at the position, they could find help behind enemy lines. Kansas City is quite familiar with Bengals running back Samaje Perine. They got a healthy dose of him in Week 13 loss to the Bengals. That day, Perine rushed for 106 yards on 21 carries (an average of more than 5 yards per carry). Perine would add another 49 yards in the passing game.

Perine is three years younger than McKinnon and is a larger, more physical back. He’s also adept at pass blocking, so he’d provide a similar benefit in obvious passing situations for Kansas City.

Devin Singletary

Another back Kansas City has gotten to know over the years is Bills running back Devin Singletary. Since being drafted by Buffalo in 2019, he’s racked up 4,000-plus yards from scrimmage and made 20 trips to paydirt.

Singletary might be the best fit from this group for the Chiefs’ offense behind McKinnon. He is a talented pass-catcher who has hauled in 145 balls in four seasons with the Bills. CBS Sports is projecting that he will fetch a contract in the $5.5 million/year range. Given that number, he may not be a long-term option for the Chiefs but could make sense on a one or two-year deal.

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