When the Kansas City Chiefs signed Elijah Mitchell last March, it honestly seemed like a solid addition to the running backs room, especially since they hadn't decided whether to bring back Kareem Hunt, which they did just a few days later.
Nevertheless, Mitchell felt like a solid depth piece alongside Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, even after missing the entire 2024 campaign with the San Francisco 49ers after suffering a severe hamstring injury during training camp, the latest of a list of injuries that have hindered his career following a strong rookie campaign.
Taken by the Niners in the sixth round of the 2021 draft at No. 194 overall, the Louisiana alum ultimately broke the franchise's rookie rushing record, running for 963 yards and five touchdowns, also adding another 137 yards and a score on 19 receptions.
But that was as good as things got. In addition to suffering various injuries over the next two seasons, Mitchell was also forced into a backup role behind Christian McCaffrey, who came to the 49ers via trade midway through the 2022 campaign. He could have gotten some significant touches in 2024 with CMC missing all but four games, but the aforementioned hamstring ailment took care of that.
What's wild is that despite no reported injuries, Mitchell had just as many carries in 2025 as he did in 2024.
Elijah Mitchell had zero touches for zero yards for the Chiefs in 2025
In putting a letter grade on Mitchell's 2025 campaign, we really have no choice but to give him an "F." But it's not his fault, as his usage (or lack thereof) was obviously out of his control.
After getting a few touches during the preseason, Mitchell failed to appear in the Chiefs' first nine regular-season games, not even suiting up in any of those matchups as a healthy scratch. Finally, following the team's Week 10 bye, the 27-year-old took the field in Kansas City's Week 11 road matchup with the rival Denver Broncos, albeit not for very long.
Mitchell ultimately took just seven snaps that day and failed to record a single carry. He was targeted once as a wide receiver, but that particular pass from Patrick Mahomes was intercepted. And that was literally Mitchell's entire stat line for the Chiefs, as he never appeared in another game before being waived on December 20. He was signed to the New England Patriots' squad on Christmas Eve but never took a snap before being released ahead of the Divisional Round.
Mitchell is back with the reigning AFC Champs at this point in time, however, having signed a reserve/future contract with the Pats on February 12. Whether he'll still be in Foxborough come September, however, remains to be seen. Perhaps there'll be a place for him back in Kansas City, backing up Kenneth Walker III.