The idea of a running back addition sounds silly at this point for the Kansas City Chiefs. The position has received far more attention than most (after being ignored for years), and the talent pool is considerable just one month out of training camp. But an intriguing name has slipped into the waiver wire, and Desmond Reid offers help worth considering.
The Buffalo Bills released Reid after placing him on injured reserve (ankle), and the undrafted RB out of Pittsburgh will be subject to claims from interested teams. Given that he was a rookie free agent, it feels safe to say he'll be available once again.
While Reid is technically a running back, his value to the Chiefs would come on special teams, where his return prowess could be a real plus for a franchise that saw minimal impact in 2025. Nikko Remigio saw his averages decline— 7.6 yards per punt return, 25.6 per kickoff return—with more volume, and it didn't help that he's coming off a season-ending knee injury. The Chiefs brought back Remigio on a one-year deal, but no one should be under the impression that he's guaranteed anything in 2026.
The Chiefs could use a spark in the return game in '26 and Desmond Reid could possibly provide it.
Reid had 966 rushing yards on 184 carries with 5 touchdowns in 2024 as a junior at Pitt. He added 52 catches for 579 yards and 4 more scores as well, which earned him First Team All-ACC honors. His senior year was cut short at seven games due to an ankle injury, but he still averaged 13.8 yards per reception and popped a 78-yard punt return touchdown before the injury ended things. It was his second punt return for a touchdown in his career.
Reid is likely to clear waivers, and from there, he'll revert to Buffalo's injured reserve. But most players in his position are ultimately released with an injury settlement, so it's at this point that K.C. could be interested once it's clear that Reid's ankle has healed properly. That takes time. It's also worth noting that durability is always going to be a concern with Reid, especially given his slight build (5-6, 174 lbs.).
Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton and running back Brashard Smith are obvious competitors for Remigio in training camp. Rookie wideout Cyrus Allen (fifth round, Cincinnati) is also in line for reps. So it's not as if the Chiefs are desperate for an addition. But Reid makes sense for some teams, perhaps the Chiefs, as an intriguing special teams addition—once healthy, of course.
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