It wasn't so long ago that some mock drafts had the Kansas City Chiefs thinking about the likes of TreVeyon Henderson or Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
From there, other projections linked the Chiefs to other options on the draft's second day, with names like Quinshon Judkins or Kaleb Johnson or Cam Skattebo thrown around.
Even into the draft's third day, fans were hoping to hear names like Bhayshul Tuten or Dylan Sampson or Jaydon Blue called out as an official Chiefs draft selection.
Instead it's just crickets.
Chiefs Kingdom is clamoring for a running back in the draft, but so far, the Chiefs are letting the prospects slide on by.
Brett Veach, the Chiefs general manager, has put together a solid draft class by finding great value from the first round on, and the overall rookie class should be applauded. This is going to be an important draft haul for the team's roster for years to come.
That said, the lack of any new imports at running back—at least through the fifth round—is a bit of a head-scratcher. For some members of Chiefs Kingdom, it's far more than that—a maddening slow burn where fans are forced to watch names come off the board to other teams in the face of such an obvious need.
The restraint shown by the Chiefs in relation to this draft's running backs proves that they like their options down the final round. This was a very deep draft class, and Veach is leaning into that description by allowing himself to peruse the shelves late. (The Chiefs' next two picks are two of the last 6 picks overall in the draft.)
Still, that doesn't make it easy for fans watching the draft to long for some help in a backfield that's filled with question marks.
Isiah Pacheco will at least be part of the answer, and he should be plenty motivated in a contract season, but injuries have robbed him of his effectiveness—at least late last year—and a leg injury might be difficult to fully come back from. Even still, he could be gone in 2026.
Kareem Hunt is back, but he's already on the wrong side of 30 and clearly isn't the same dynamic back he was when he first joined the Chiefs in 2017. Elijah Mitchell has barely played since 2021 (and not at all last season) due to injuries. Carson Steele was a nice training camp story, but he's no one the Chiefs should be leaning on.
For now, Chiefs fans will just have to wait, even if things feel desperate. Veach has been here before and the run of success speaks for itself. Even if the lack of a running back feels like an opportunity missed.