When a team has fallen from preseason Super Bowl favorite to selecting near the top ten of the next year's NFL Draft, there will be a lot of roster concerns to address. For the Kansas City Chiefs, that's true even without having to worry about the biggest question of all with Patrick Mahomes recovering from a torn ACL for the entirety of the 2026 offseason.
But for all of the retooling that general manager Brett Veach is going to have to do to right the ship in Kansas City, one position stands out to a former player as one that could really pay serious dividends for the Chiefs offense. That is, if Veach finds the right addition.
Former Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith knows a thing or two about the help provided when the backfield has a brilliant player available. After all, he was able to play alongside Jamaal Charles for multiple seasons, who might be the single greatest back to ever take the field at Arrowhead.
When asked about the Chiefs on a recent segment of NFL on ESPN, Smith spoke about his hopes for a new running back this offseason. "The thing for me that I think that's really been missing, especially from them offensively... I just think back to a signature Andy Reid offense, even going back to Philly, Brian Westbrook, this receiving threat running back out of the backfield, a guy you could get in matchups.
Alex Smith believes the Kansas City Chiefs' clearest offensive fix this offseason is adding a dynamic running back to revive Andy Reid’s offense.
"When he came to Kansas City, [he had] Jamaal Charles, right? I mean, this guy was unstoppable. You could get him on linebackers. Obviously, a dynamic player could be explosive. They just haven't had that element there, and I would love to see them right. Obviously. Kareem Hunt aging. They've had [Isiah] Pacheco. I think that's something that if they get the opportunity to go out and address, I think they will."
The Chiefs have employed some great running backs over the years, but recent history won't reflect so kindly on the position. After investing a failed first-round pick in Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2020, Veach has retreated at the position. Instead, K.C. has gotten by with late-round selections and discount free agents, which has forced Mahomes to do more of the lifting on offense with a second-rate backfield.
This offseason, the Chiefs will only have seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith on the roster. Kareem Hunt is a free agent. Isiah Pacheco hits the open market for the first time as well. Elijah Mitchell was already sent packing with just three weeks left to go in the regular season. It's possible the Chiefs bring back Dameon Pierce after signing him later in the year, but that's an irresponsible plan going forward if he's viewed as a primary competitor.
The Chiefs have options of varying levels of investment this offseason if they want them. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is a first-round talent who should be available for K.C. Free agent-to-be Breece Hall is also a local product who Veach even attempted to trade for before the deadline in early November.
Even if Veach decides the avoid going extreme with his investments, the Chiefs have to do something to raise the ceiling (and floor) at the position. Reinforcements are coming. Alex Smith is hoping the Chiefs find the sort of dynamic playmaker who has been at the center of Andy Reid's previous offenses. Given that Mahomes will be returning from a season-ending knee injury, that's not a bad plan for offensive success in 2026.