It's been seven full seasons since the Kansas City Chiefs had a premier player in the backfield. While no sensible fan would want to alter anything that happened in that span of time, given the results of multiple championships and the establishment of a rare NFL dynasty, the lack of talent at the position caught up with the team in 2025. Now, something must change heading into a new season.
It was 2018 when the Chiefs were forced to release Kareem Hunt with one month remaining in the regular season. Hunt had lied to the team on multiple occasions when given a chance to confess his role in an assault and altercation with a woman that was caught on video. That lack of trust cost Hunt his job and left K.C. looking for a replacement.
Two years later, the Chiefs would try to take care of any concerns once and for all with a first-round investment at the position with the selection of LSU's Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The choice has haunted the franchise ever since. Not only did general manager Brett Veach decide to pass on Jonathan Taylor, but CEH's all-around skill set meant that he held no elite traits at the next level.
The Kansas City Chiefs haven't had a truly elite running back since they released Kareem Hunt, but that's set to change in 2026.
Edwards-Helaire would go on to average 462 rushing yards per season in his first four years. In his second season, undrafted free agent Darrel Williams would lead the team in rushing. From there, the Chiefs have gone cheap at the position with seventh-round flyers in the draft like Isiah Pacheco (2022) and Brashard Smith (2025) or low-level free agent deals like Elijah Mitchell or La'Mical Perine.
The problem is that the lack of any dynamism in the backfield placed increasing pressure on Patrick Mahomes to carry an offense that was also watching key pass-catchers slow with age (Travis Kelce) or become unavailable due to suspension (Rashee Rice) or injury (Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice). Without a ground game, the Chiefs offense was often stalled at the wrong times, which ushered in a nine-game slide in 2025 from the previous season's 15-win total.
Knowing that the Chiefs need to strengthen the position, it looks like the the Chiefs are truly committed to acquiring an elite running back once again. This would be a welcome sight for fans who've been hungry for far greater impact at the position.
Just how that happens has yet to be determined. Perhaps it's via the draft with the potential selection of Jeremiyah Love out of Notre Dame at No. 9 overall in the first round. Love is the top-rated back in the draft class, and he would be an instant home run for the Chiefs offense. That said, taking a back so early might be a concern with so many other pressing needs that are much harder to fill. It's also possible Love is gone by the time K.C. is on the clock.
In free agency, the Chiefs could have a few options before them, depending on how teams use their franchise tags. Breece Hall is an excellent young back with local ties, but the Jets might play hardball before free agency begins. Kenneth Walker just won Super Bowl MVP and would look great in red and gold, but Seattle would be silly to let him leave. Travis Etienne is another name to watch.
Then again, it's possible general manager Brett Veach avoids such a steep price for any single player and instead acquires multiple options. Perhaps that means a draft pick like Jadarian Price or Emmett Johnson could be paired with a free agent like Rico Dowdle or Tyler Allgeier.
No matter how Veach wants to approach the problem, the running back position just needs solutions. That definitely means higher production, but it might also mean a truly impactful back could be a part of the offense once again.