The Kansas City Chiefs just aren't the same team that they've been in recent years. With a 5-5 record during the 2025 NFL season, they're firmly out of the playoff picture and in desperate need of an offensive jolt.
That could have come at the trade deadline in the form of an acquisiton, but general manager Brett Veach sat on his hands. The Chiefs were in the running for New York Jets running back Breece Hall, but Kansas City didn't want to pony up a third-rounder for his talents.
Hall is in the final year of his rookie deal in New York, and based on how things have gone between him and the franchise in recent years, it is likely he'll test free agency next spring. That would provide the Chiefs another chance to sign him, even if it is too late for this season.
Chiefs are in bad shape if they want to make another run at Breece Hall in free agency
Last week, ESPN's Ryan Fowler and Matt Bowen released their list of the best players set to hit the open market in March. Hall landed at No. 6, and Fowler provided some insight as to what kind of contract it may take for the Chiefs to lure him to Kansas City.
"Hall was coveted at the trade deadline. That the Jets wanted a third-round pick in return for a running back reminds that Hall has top-end talent," Fowler wrote. "And my sense is he will do just fine in free agency -- think Josh Jacobs' four-year, $48 million deal signed in March 2024 as a possibility. A few personnel evaluators thought that was a fair contract comp."
Oof. Considering the Chiefs have -$30 million in salary cap space next year, according to Spotrac, that kind of money may not be in Kansas City's wheelhouse. Restructuring Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones and Jawaan Taylor's deals would save some money, but not nearly enough.
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Kansas City could always backload his deal, but even then, they would be spreading themselves thin. They had a chance to get Hall on a cheap deal for a year and perhaps strike a more favorable contract after acquiring him at the deadline, but they squandered that opportunity by not being aggressive.
Week 11's loss to the Denver Broncos was the perfect example of a game that Hall could have made a big impact for Andy Reid and Co. Instead, the team had to lean on Kareem Hunt, who was efficient, but far from a game-changer or a passing threat like Hall is capable of being.
For the first time in a long time, it may be a long season and offseason for the Chiefs. Of course, you can't count this team out until the clock strikes zero, but missing out on Hall at the deadline felt like the kiss of death.
Fowler's report about the steep contract that Hall may garner in the offseason is just another nail in the coffin for Veach and the front office, as there may not be a way out of the mess that has suddenly appeared in Kansas City.