One of the most pressing needs for the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason is at the running back position, where upgrades could significantly alter the trajectory of the team heading into 2026.

While Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt provide solid depth, neither has proven capable of consistently transforming drives or creating explosive plays in the way Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid require for a championship-caliber offense.

The Chiefs have already explored options to improve the backfield, including last season’s pursuit of New York Jets running back Breece Hall, a talented player with the skill set necessary to change Kansas City’s offensive dynamic.

Now that Hall is entering free agency, it seems almost inevitable that Kansas City will renew interest in acquiring him, as the team already demonstrated willingness to pursue him months earlier, signaling their belief in his value.

CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell recently included Hall in his top 50 NFL free agents, highlighting the running back’s potential impact if paired with a team capable of contending for a playoff berth.

Podell notes that Hall’s talent as a dual-threat runner and pass-catcher shines even on a Jets roster that struggled mightily in 2025, showing that his production is not merely a product of team scheme or surrounding talent.

“Hall’s ability to cut on a dime to produce big plays as both a runner and a pass catcher shines brightly in the darkness that is the Jets’ offense,” Podell writes, emphasizing the difficulty of standing out in a team frequently playing from behind.

He adds, “It’s hard to be a running back when your team is almost always playing from behind, but hopefully Hall can join a team that has a shot at postseason football in 2026,” underlining how context impacts a player’s effectiveness and visibility in the league.

Kansas City, as an AFC contender led by Mahomes, represents exactly the type of environment where Hall could thrive, both as a featured runner and as a versatile option out of the backfield.

Adding Hall would dramatically transform the Chiefs’ offense, giving Mahomes a dynamic weapon capable of creating explosive plays, keeping defenses honest, and opening up the passing game in ways that Pacheco or Hunt simply cannot.

With Hall in the backfield, defenses could no longer focus solely on Mahomes, as Hall’s ability to hit home runs on any given play forces defenders to account for a secondary threat capable of altering the course of a drive.

Hall is also capable of carrying a consistent workload, which is crucial for Reid’s offense, as the team needs a running back who can contribute both in heavy rotation and as a primary ball carrier when sustaining drives.

In 2025, Hall had seven games with 15 or more carries, demonstrating his ability to handle significant responsibilities while also contributing in the passing game, where his route running and hands make him an asset in third-down and red-zone situations.

Reid’s creative offensive schemes could fully leverage Hall’s skill set, integrating him into both inside and outside runs, as well as check-down and screen opportunities to balance Mahomes’ aerial attack.

According to Spotrac, Hall’s market value is estimated at $10.4 million per year, a figure that may initially seem prohibitive for a team navigating salary cap constraints and future contract commitments for key players.

However, the Chiefs’ status as an AFC powerhouse with legitimate playoff aspirations could persuade Hall to accept a slightly lower contract in exchange for a chance to compete for championships immediately.

Playing alongside Mahomes offers Hall a rare advantage, as the quarterback’s elite decision-making and accuracy create opportunities for a running back to maximize yards after contact and turn short gains into explosive plays.

Beyond his statistical output, Hall’s presence would add a new dimension to Kansas City’s offense, forcing opposing defenses to account for multiple threats, thereby opening up space for receivers and tight ends in ways not possible with the current backfield.

Hall’s versatility allows Reid to design game plans that vary week to week, incorporating both power runs between the tackles and outside zone schemes that exploit defensive tendencies, while also creating mismatches in the passing game.

The addition of Hall would also give the Chiefs more flexibility in situational play-calling, allowing the offense to mix tempo, sustain long drives, and maintain a balanced attack even in high-pressure playoff environments.

Given the shortcomings of Pacheco and Hunt in 2025, Hall represents not just an upgrade in production, but an upgrade in explosiveness, vision, and playmaking ability, giving Mahomes a true co-star in the backfield.

Moreover, Hall’s ability to generate big plays as a runner or receiver aligns perfectly with Kansas City’s philosophy of creating multiple points of attack, ensuring defenses cannot key in on a single player and must respect the entire offensive scheme.

Even if signing Hall comes with a moderate financial concession, the potential playoff impact and immediate contribution make it a worthwhile investment for a team aiming to reclaim dominance in the AFC.

Pairing Hall with Mahomes could also provide a confidence boost to the quarterback, as having a reliable, versatile running back reduces the pressure to carry every critical drive and allows Mahomes to operate with more strategic freedom.

In terms of long-term planning, acquiring Hall would send a clear signal to both the league and fans that the Chiefs are serious about contending in 2026, proactively addressing a glaring positional weakness before the draft or other free agency decisions.

Ultimately, Hall could be the missing piece the Chiefs need to elevate their offense from good to elite, complementing Mahomes and Reid’s system while creating a multi-dimensional attack that can challenge any defense in the league.

For a team that narrowly missed the playoffs in 2025, securing Hall is not just a smart move—it may be an essential step toward restoring Kansas City to its rightful position as a perennial AFC powerhouse.