After years of watching Kansas City Chiefs running backs range somewhere between abysmal and mediocre, the 2026 roster could hold some real promise. In fact, it's possible the Chiefs could go all-in at the position and turn a perennial weakness into a dynamic strength. But the reality is that even with top-shelf options before K.C. this spring, general manager Brett Veach is likely to shop in some mid-tier aisles.
The state of the backfield has been an annual concern in Kansas City since Kareem Hunt was shown the door for lying to the franchise in 2018 about his role in an altercation and assault with a woman in a Cleveland hotel. Hunt was the team's last truly impact running back, and the void created by his loss has been felt by the offense ever since. That was seven seasons ago.
It's not as if the Chiefs haven't tried to fill the void. Veach spent a first-round pick on Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the 2020 NFL Draft, bypassing the likes of Jonathan Taylor for the sake of supposed offensive fit. Edwards-Helaire was a model citizen but a rather mediocre back. One year later, it was Darrel Williams, an undrafted free agent, who led the team in rushing.
The Chiefs are more likely to take a measured approach at running back than make an all-in investment.
For the last few years in particular, the Chiefs have lingered near the discount bin. They spent a seventh-round choice on Isiah Pacheco in 2022 and again on Brashard Smith last spring. They've leaned on aging free agents and injury rebounds like Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell, Jerick McKinnon and La'Mical Perine. The results have been exactly what someone might expect from such feeble attempts, even as the team continued to reach Super Bowl after Super Bowl.
After fans watched Patrick Mahomes' superhuman powers fail to elevate the Chiefs into the postseason for the first time since he became the starter in 2018, the lack of a running threat finally became a major talking point for Chiefs Kingdom. Winning cures all, but when roster deficits robbed the team of a chance at another postseason run, the backfield became an obvious spot at which to direct blame.
That's why the idea of fixing things with a major investment sounds like such a good idea to Chiefs fans. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love should be in range when Veach is on the clock in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft at No. 9 overall. He's arguably the top skill position player available, and the Chiefs offense could use that sort of boost. When fit meets need, it seems like an obvious pairing.
That said, there are free agent possibilities as well. Breece Hall has local ties and already drew the Chiefs' interest before the NFL's trade deadline in early November. The New York Jets running back is expected to be the top free agent available and would be a dynamic weapon in Andy Reid's offense with Mahomes as his quarterback. If the Chiefs didn't want to use another first-round pick at RB (who could blame them?), then shopping on the open market could be the answer.
But the problem with these scenarios—either drafting Love or signing Hall—is that it represents such a major philosophical shift for the Chiefs at a point where they have so many other needs. If the Chiefs weren't bleeding along the defensive line, if offensive tackle didn't look a bit scary after 2026, if the wide receivers weren't such a letdown, then maybe going all-in at running back would make sense. Instead, it feels as if the Chiefs can't afford that kind of investment.
Yes, the Chiefs need to make a few moves at running back with only Smith scheduled to return in '26, but those transactions must be made in concert with other roster additions. Spending at one spot means not having enough at another. Resource management is the key, and when combined with Veach's reticence to take a big swing at RB in the past, it makes more sense to expect some moderation.
Perhaps that means Atlanta Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier and/or a draft choice in the middle rounds. Maybe Rachaad White is the answer in free agency along with Nebraska's Emmett Johnson in the draft. Two measured moves, when combined with the potential re-signing of Kareem Hunt and the return of Brashard Smith, could provide the boost while allowing Veach more resources elsewhere.
A home run addition is always exciting, but the Chiefs need one at multiple positions. Someone is going to be disappointed, no matter what call Veach makes. But the history and the breadth of need should temper expectations for the Chiefs to go all-in at running back this offseason.