The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for one of their most dramatic offensive resets in years, as the franchise shifts significant attention, resources and personnel focus toward revitalizing a running back unit that struggled throughout the previous campaign and consistently fell short of championship-caliber expectations.
Finishing the season ranked 25th in rushing yards per game at just 106.6 and 21st in yards per carry at 4.2, Kansas City faced undeniable production issues that placed unusual pressure on the passing game and exposed long-term concerns about offensive balance within Andy Reid’s system.
That statistical downturn reinforced a growing belief inside the building that major change was inevitable, not only in personnel decisions but also in the coaching structure responsible for developing running backs, implementing run-scheme concepts and extracting efficiency from younger offensive contributors.
Fortunately for the team, the coaching overhaul has already begun, with the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and the arrival of new running backs coach DeMarco Murray, both expected to introduce fresh philosophies and more decisive run-game principles heading into the 2026 season.
Bieniemy, one of the most respected offensive minds in the league, brings with him a history of maximizing backfield production, while Murray, a former NFL star, adds a proven track record of player development and modern vision for how backs need to operate in today’s fast-paced offenses.
Together, the duo will be responsible for shaping the growth of young running back Brashard Smith, along with any new additions expected to arrive via free agency or the NFL Draft, as Kansas City retools a position group that has lacked consistency and explosive playmaking.
Based on last year’s results and internal evaluations, the expectation is that veteran running back Isiah Pacheco will likely fall out of the long-term picture, especially with his role diminishing late in the season and contract considerations pushing the Chiefs toward younger and more versatile options.
Dameon Pierce, the powerful runner who joined the roster late last season, initially appeared to be on his way out as well, particularly after a year filled with limited usage, confusing rotations and a noticeable lack of evaluation opportunities despite the team falling out of playoff contention.
But the sweeping offensive coaching changes now represent a potential lifeline for Pierce, whose combination of downhill strength, contact balance and early-career promise could be reignited under a more structured and intentional development environment guided by Bieniemy and Murray.
Pierce, who is set to hit free agency, joined Kansas City last November with the expectation that he would help stabilize the struggling ground attack, yet he spent nearly a month on the practice squad, a puzzling decision given the team had nothing left to lose in a fading season.
In a year where evaluation should have been prioritized, Kansas City instead delayed Pierce’s opportunity, activating him only days before Christmas and ultimately giving him just four carries in Week 18, a decision that many around the league viewed as a missed developmental window.
Head coach Andy Reid and then-offensive coordinator Matt Nagy never found a defined role for the former Houston Texans standout, and the absence of a tailored plan limited what could have been meaningful game-speed reps heading into the offseason.
With Nagy now gone and former running backs coach Todd Pinkston departing as well, Pierce faces a clean slate—one shaped entirely by Bieniemy’s sharp offensive structure and Murray’s hands-on coaching approach, both of which historically benefit power runners capable of thriving in zone-gap hybrid schemes.
Pierce has surely taken notice of Bieniemy’s recent success with Chicago, where the veteran coach transformed seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai into a 783-yard rusher and revived the career trajectory of veteran D’Andre Swift, who reached a career-high 1,097 rushing yards in 2025.
Those results speak volumes to running backs across the league, showing that Bieniemy’s system rewards players who can stay disciplined, pass protect effectively and deliver physical yardage after contact—traits Pierce demonstrated prominently during his impressive rookie season in 2022.
That 2022 breakout, which included 989 rushing yards on 212 attempts, remains a prime example of Pierce’s potential when placed in a system willing to feed him consistent touches, build play-action packages around his downhill style and trust his durability in high-volume scenarios.
Injuries and usage issues have contributed to Pierce’s statistical decline since that rookie year, but league evaluators still see a back with meaningful upside—one who simply needs the right scheme, the right coaches and a clearer identity to return to early-career form.
Kansas City offers precisely that environment, as Pierce already understands Reid’s expectations, the locker-room culture and the structure of the organization, all of which shorten the adjustment period and make the Chiefs an appealing landing spot for a bounce-back campaign.
The urgency within the running back room becomes even more apparent as Kansas City prepares for the departure of Pacheco and acknowledges that veteran Kareem Hunt continues aging out of a featured role, leaving a significant opening for a fresh, capable lead back.
Bieniemy’s reputation as an “RB whisperer” only enhances the appeal for Pierce, particularly as the Chiefs look for a player capable of blending physicality with reliability and becoming a stabilizing force in an offense expected to transition toward greater balance in 2026.
With previous coaches who restricted opportunities now gone, the environment appears far more favorable for a renewed workload, making Kansas City one of the most logical and strategically beneficial places for Pierce to reestablish his value.
If the Chiefs can present Pierce with a vision centered on meaningful touches, schematic fit and a pathway to a starting role, the chances of a reunion significantly increase, offering both sides an opportunity to correct the missteps of the past year.
All signs point to a situation where mutual interest could build quickly, especially once Bieniemy and Murray evaluate Pierce through their own lens, rather than the fragmented staff structure that defined the 2025 season.
As Kansas City reshapes its run-game identity, Pierce stands at the intersection of opportunity, need and stylistic compatibility—making the possibility of returning for 2026 not only realistic but potentially transformative for a team desperate for a more consistent ground attack.
