CHIEFS PREDICTED TO SOLVE RUNNING BACK ISSUES WITH 36-TD ROOKIE IN 2026

By Bryce Lazenby

For years, the Kansas City Chiefs have faced significant struggles in their running game, despite the team’s overall success. Since Kareem Hunt’s 1,327-yard, 8-touchdown performance in 2017, the Chiefs have failed to produce a 1,000-yard rusher, a glaring issue in an offense that, despite its high-flying passing game, has been left wanting in the ground game.

The inability to secure a true No. 1 running back has been a major storyline in Kansas City for the past few seasons. While the Chiefs’ offense continues to be led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a high-powered receiving corps, the running back position has often been a weak link, preventing the team from achieving a balanced attack. Now, after another disappointing season in 2025, the Chiefs find themselves in a rare position: a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This draft position could provide the opportunity for Kansas City to finally address its running back woes and add an elite talent to its backfield.

Kansas City’s Running Back Struggles: A Longstanding Issue

In 2025, the Chiefs’ running back situation remained a mixed bag. Kareem Hunt, despite his age—now 30—was once again the team’s leading rusher, but his performance wasn’t enough to lift the running game to new heights. Hunt finished the season with just 611 yards and 4 touchdowns, far from the prolific numbers he posted in his younger days. Isiah Pacheco, a promising young back, showed flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but injuries and inconsistency made it clear that he isn’t the long-term solution to Kansas City’s running back issues.

The Chiefs have had to rely on a committee approach, but with no single running back standing out, the team has lacked the type of game-changing back that can balance the offensive attack and relieve some of the pressure on Mahomes and the passing game.

The Solution: Jeremiyah Love, Elite Talent in the 2026 Draft

Fortunately for the Chiefs, their struggles in 2025 have positioned them to land an early pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and experts believe the answer to their running back issues could be waiting in the form of Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. NFL analyst Bucky Brooks recently released his first mock draft, and he has the Chiefs selecting Love with the No. 7 overall pick.

Jeremiyah Love: A Game-Changing Prospect

Love has been nothing short of spectacular during his time at Notre Dame. In the 2025 season, he rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting and earning a First-team All-American selection. His performance in 2025 wasn’t a fluke either; Love also posted impressive numbers in 2024, rushing for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns. These back-to-back standout seasons have solidified his place as the top running back prospect in the 2026 class.

What sets Love apart from many other running backs is his well-rounded skill set. He is not only an explosive runner with elite burst and the ability to break tackles but also a reliable pass-catcher. Over his career at Notre Dame, Love caught 63 passes for 594 yards and 6 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. In an offense like the Chiefs’, which values running backs who can both run and catch, Love’s ability to line up as a receiving threat out of the backfield makes him an ideal fit.

The Chiefs’ Need for a Star Running Back

It may seem like a luxury to select a running back so early in the draft, especially with the Chiefs’ offensive success in recent years. However, the running back position is one of the few areas where the team has been lacking, and adding a dynamic, all-around talent like Love would take the Chiefs’ offense to the next level. With a star quarterback in Mahomes, a potent receiving corps, and an improved offensive line, adding an elite running back could give the Chiefs a more balanced and unstoppable attack.

Moreover, with the return of Eric Bieniemy as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, the team is poised to revisit the formula that once helped them have a 1,000-yard rusher. Bieniemy was on staff the last time the Chiefs had a standout rusher in Hunt, and his familiarity with incorporating running backs into the offense would likely help Love thrive in Kansas City’s system.

Love’s Fit with Kansas City: A Perfect Match

Love’s skill set makes him one of the best possible fits for the Chiefs. His burst and ability to gain chunks of yards, combined with his soft hands in the passing game, would allow Kansas City to utilize him as both a traditional running back and a dual-threat weapon in the passing game. Love’s ability to run routes out of the backfield would complement Mahomes’ improvisational style, giving the quarterback another option to exploit mismatches.

In addition to his physical tools, Love’s toughness and ability to excel in pass protection will also be crucial for a team like the Chiefs, where maintaining the safety of their franchise quarterback is paramount. Love has shown that he is not just a dynamic weapon on offense, but a well-rounded back who can handle all three downs and thrive in a high-powered system.

A Bold Move for the Chiefs

The idea of selecting a running back this high in the draft might raise eyebrows, but the Chiefs’ need for a game-changer at the position makes it a sensible move. With Love, Kansas City could finally solve their long-standing running back issues and build a more dynamic, unpredictable offense that can balance its attack and keep defenses on their toes. With the No. 7 pick in the 2026 draft, the Chiefs have a unique opportunity to land a true difference-maker, and Love could be the player to bring the team’s offense to an entirely new level.

As the 2026 draft approaches, all eyes will be on Kansas City and whether they decide to invest in a star running back who could change the trajectory of their offense for years to come.