With a playoff-less season looming, the Chiefs face a critical need to revitalize their backfield. Discover which top prospects could spearhead the 2026 rushing attack.
The Kansas City Chiefs are going to be sitting at home and watching the playoffs, which is something they have not been used to in the past years.
While questions swirl about the future of tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs will enter the 2026 offseason with lots of holes to fill on the roster.
Former running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who works for NFL.com, had five teams that could use an RB upgrade. And, unsurprisingly, the Chiefs made the list.
"Where to begin? This starts with the fact that the Chiefs have played so much football over the last seven seasons. In that span, they've logged 21 playoff games -- that's more than a full regular season's worth. Fatigue has to be a factor in Kansas City's myriad offensive problems in 2025, which have resulted in the unit's worst statistical season in memory (20th in scoring, 17th in yards). The offensive line has struggled, and as much as I like the physicality both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt bring to the field, they don't often create in space. Both are efficient when given a hole, but neither earns chunk yards on his own. For proof, the Chiefs have only gained 2.8 rush yards after contact per carry this season, tied for 28th in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. Both Hunt (158 carries, 597 yards, eight rush TDs) and Pacheco (118 carries, 462 yards, one rush TD) are free agents this offseason. Seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith could claim a larger role going forward, but Kansas City will have to significantly overhaul this group in free agency and the draft. "
The Chiefs have constantly been linked to Notre Dame star and Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiyah Love in recent NFL mock drafts, and that pick makes way too much sense on all fronts.
This season, Kareem Hunt leads the team with 597 yards rushing entering Week 18, and Pacheco has 462. But, Patrick Mahomes is third with 422 yards, so he is not far from the top spot.
It is no secret: The Chiefs need an every-down back. Yes, Pacheco has played well, but Love is a bonafide RB1 that would instantly come in and be a revelation for this offense.
They could also work the free agent market, but nonetheless, running back should be a position the Chiefs focus on in 2026 as they hope to find a way to get back to the postseason.