The Kansas City Chiefs are going shopping this offseason at running back. That much is clear. But just how much general manager Brett Veach is willing to spend is completely up in the air, because it's easy to understand why he would go in several directions with his draft picks and financial cap room.
After years of watching seventh-round flyers and uninspiring free-agent signings occupying all levels of the backfield's depth chart, Chiefs Kingdom is ready for some fresh imports at running back. Isiah Pacheco is headed for free agency after finishing his rookie deal, while Kareem's Hunt's one-year contract just expired. Given the workload placed on the tandem, there's plenty of room for new faces to make an immediate impact in 2026.
Brashard Smith has three years left on his contract, and a late-season showing gives him solid momentum into the Chiefs' offseason. However, that still won't keep Veach from looking in both free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. If Veach wants to avoid spending top-of-the-market money on the likes of Breece Hall, he's got a great option in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White.
A mid-market move for Rachaad White could give the Chiefs a complete, low-risk upgrade at running back.
White was selected in the third round of the 2022 draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he blossomed into a well-rounded back who scampered for 1,539 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns in his second season with the team. Those totals brought him league-wide respect and recognition, but his career would soon take an unexpected turn.
When the Bucs made a further investment at running back in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, few could have predicted that Bucky Irving would prove to be as productive as he did. Irving averaged 5.4 yards/carry in his rookie season and rushed for 1,122 yards and 8 touchdowns that year. White was good, but Irving was better. Together, they made an effective tandem for the Bucs' offense, but it meant White's spotlight was a bit dimmer in his final two seasons in Tampa Bay.
White was even more productive with each opportunity (a career-high 5.2 yards/touch) after Irving's arrival, so it's not as if the Bucs discarded a declining product. It's just that Todd Bowles' team has enjoyed an abundance of riches at a spot where the Chiefs have operated at a deficit, which is why it would make sense for K.C. to look at what White could do if performing in the center ring once again.
What's so impressive about White is just how complete a back he is. He's a dynamic pass catcher who has averaged over 50 catches per season in his NFL career. White is also known as one of the NFL's better pass blockers at his position, which will be greatly appreciated by Andy Reid and his staff. It also doesn't hurt that White didn't fumble at all in 2025.
This season, White will be 27 years old, but he'll have limited wear as a back after taking a backseat to Irving over the last two years. Contractually, Spotrac projects his market value to be $7.4 million over a two-year, $14.7M deal. That level of commitment should look very palatable to a team like the Chiefs, which will need to look at mid-market options when they can find them. A two-year contract also stops short of White's 30th birthday.
As for the player's point of view, a two-year stint in Kansas City could offer him a place to bloom in a hopefully dynamic offense with a team aiming to rebound quickly to contender status. Despite the team's 6-11 record in 2025, playing for Andy Reid and with Patrick Mahomes is always going to be a draw. And if he shines over those two seasons, it's possible another payday is waiting for him on the other side.
Basically, White makes sense as a priority free agent target for the Chiefs on every level. Not only would it provide a major improvement at a position of need, but it would also allow some resources to be used elsewhere.