CHIEFS’ OFFSEASON STRATEGY: REBUILDING THE RUN GAME IS ESSENTIAL FOR 2026 SUCCESS

BREAKING NEWS: As the Kansas City Chiefs approach the offseason, the front office has a lot to consider, with a clear emphasis on fixing their struggling running game. While the team’s defense and pass rush are areas of concern, improving the ground game might be the most immediate need.

With the 2025 NFL season officially in the rearview, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at a crossroads. Coming off a season that ended short of the high expectations fans had for the team, it’s clear that a roster overhaul is in order. The Chiefs, who have built their success around the incredible arm of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a high-powered passing game, now face a more balanced dilemma: the need for a potent, reliable run game.

Chiefs’ Running Game Struggles: A Critical Weakness

Entering the offseason, it’s evident that the Chiefs are falling behind in one key area: the running back position. Throughout the 2025 season, the Chiefs’ rushing attack struggled to make significant strides, leaving them well below the league average. This became an even more apparent weakness as Mahomes battled a knee injury, and the Chiefs’ inability to effectively balance their offense put even more pressure on their star quarterback.

To make matters more complicated, both of the team’s primary running backs—Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco—are slated to hit free agency. That leaves the Chiefs with just Brashard Smith on the roster at the running back position as of now, a situation that will certainly need to be addressed before the 2026 season.

The Urgency of a Running Back Fix

NFL.com’s Kevin Patra weighed in on the Chiefs’ offseason needs, calling for a major upgrade to the team’s backfield. “Both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are slated for free agency, leaving K.C. with Brashard Smith as the lone back on the roster,” Patra wrote. “Adding a dynamic weapon to the backfield who can generate consistent chunk plays, including in the passing game, would be a boon with Patrick Mahomes coming off a knee injury.”

The need for a dynamic running back is more urgent than ever, especially with Mahomes recovering from an injury that affected his mobility. A strong, reliable back who can gain significant yardage on the ground—and contribute in the passing game—would take a lot of pressure off the Chiefs’ offense, balancing out the attack and making the offense even more dangerous.

Free Agency and the Draft: Two Paths to Improve the Run Game

There are two main avenues the Chiefs can explore to address their running back dilemma: free agency and the NFL Draft. In free agency, there are several intriguing options available that could elevate the Chiefs’ running game. Two names that have been mentioned frequently as ideal fits for Kansas City are Breece Hall of the New York Jets and Kenneth Walker of the Seattle Seahawks.

Both Hall and Walker possess the skill set that could complement Mahomes’ style of play perfectly. Hall, who has displayed impressive speed and vision in the backfield, could provide the Chiefs with a home-run threat whenever he touches the ball. Meanwhile, Walker, with his power and ability to break tackles, would give the Chiefs a physical presence in the running game.

The Chiefs even attempted to acquire Hall last season through a trade, but those efforts ultimately fell short. With Hall likely still on the market, the Chiefs could try again, though they may face stiff competition from other teams in need of a dynamic running back.

Jeremiyah Love: The Draft’s Potential Hidden Gem

While free agency offers some solid options, the draft could also provide the Chiefs with the opportunity to land a top-tier running back. In several mock drafts, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has emerged as a potential option for Kansas City. Love has impressed scouts with his speed, agility, and ability to make plays in both the running and passing game.

If the Chiefs were to draft Love, it would offer them a long-term solution at running back, one that would give Mahomes a reliable option in the backfield for years to come. Love’s ability to contribute in the passing game would also be a huge asset, as it would allow the Chiefs to run more play-action and misdirection plays—elements that have been vital to their success in recent years.

The benefit of drafting a player like Love is that it could help the Chiefs save cap space, allowing them to allocate resources elsewhere, like strengthening their defense or pass rush. The Chiefs, after all, will have to balance their payroll wisely to keep their championship window open, especially with other players set to hit free agency and possibly demand big contracts.

What the Chiefs Can’t Do: Sticking with Pacheco and Hunt

As the Chiefs look ahead, it’s abundantly clear that sticking with the current running back duo of Pacheco and Hunt for the 2026 season is simply not an option. Despite their potential, Pacheco and Hunt have been inconsistent throughout their time with the Chiefs. Pacheco showed flashes of brilliance, but ultimately, his overall performance was not enough to make the Chiefs’ running game a legitimate threat. Meanwhile, Hunt, though once one of the NFL’s top running backs, has shown signs of slowing down in recent seasons.

With the Chiefs aiming to maximize their Super Bowl window, there’s little room for stagnation. Kansas City needs a running back who can contribute consistently, both on the ground and in the passing game, to relieve Mahomes and give the offense a more well-rounded attack. As Patra correctly pointed out, the Chiefs cannot afford to run it back with Pacheco and Hunt in 2026.

What the Chiefs Should Expect in 2026

With so much on the line, the Chiefs’ front office must make the right call in the offseason. Whether they opt to sign a proven free agent or draft a rookie who can step in immediately, improving the run game will be a critical move for Kansas City. A revamped backfield will not only provide Mahomes with more weapons but also make the Chiefs’ offense that much more dangerous.

While there’s no doubt the Chiefs will continue to rely on Mahomes to lead them, the addition of a solid running back would allow the team to diversify their playbook. Whether it’s through free agency or the draft, the Chiefs must address this glaring weakness before the 2026 season begins.

Looking Ahead: Could the Chiefs Find Their Star Running Back?

The offseason is just beginning, and with it comes the opportunity for the Chiefs to make some important changes to their roster. The running back position is one of the most critical areas for improvement, and with a few smart moves in free agency or the draft, Kansas City could quickly become one of the most well-rounded teams in the NFL.

Whether the Chiefs land a proven veteran like Hall or Walker, or find a hidden gem in the draft like Jeremiyah Love, their running game needs to be fixed—quickly. If they can do so, they’ll give themselves a much better chance at success in the 2026 season, keeping Mahomes and their championship hopes alive for years to come.

Conclusion: A Priority for the Chiefs’ Offseason

For the Kansas City Chiefs, fixing the run game is a top priority this offseason. While Mahomes remains the focal point of the offense, the team cannot afford to enter the 2026 season with the same inefficiencies in the backfield. The Chiefs must act swiftly, either by signing a dynamic free agent or drafting a future star, to make sure their offense is as balanced and dangerous as ever.