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Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach at the 2026 NFL Combine.

Rumors have connected the Kansas City Chiefs to the running back position throughout the 2026 offseason, and ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano fueled those rumors within his latest NFL free agency news article detailing the “Combine buzz” that he and colleague Jeremy Fowler have heard over the past several days.

“Teams I expect to see gauge the free agent RB market include the Chiefs, [Houston] Texans and [New York] Giants, among others,” Graziano relayed on March 1.

He also added that “Carolina’s Rico Dowdle and Atlanta’s Tyler Allgeier are both free agents their respective teams would consider bringing back at the right contractual price, but I expect both to get a chance to hit free agency and see if they can get starter-level money elsewhere.”

Along with Dowdle and Allgeier, Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne is expected to headline the free agent class. Etienne has been connected to the Chiefs a lot this winter, and Graziano wrote that it sounds “unlikely” that the dual threat will be franchise-tagged.

Having said that, it’s not all good news on Etienne. Graziano noted that the top-tier running back should have a “nice market.”

Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is also expected to be available in free agency. Walker could end up topping the 2026 RB market when all is said and done. Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer connected him to the Chiefs on February 26.

More on the NFL Free Agency Running Back Market Amid Rumors of Chiefs Interest

According to Graziano, the Dallas Cowboys’ Javonte Williams agreement will be a reference point for most running back negotiations.

“Javonte Williams likely set the floor for negotiations for the top free agent running backs after agreeing to a strong deal that keeps him in Dallas and guarantees him $16 million over the next two seasons,” the ESPN insider reminded.

The Chiefs could be looking at a similar price tag for a player like Etienne or Walker.

Per Over the Cap, Williams received a three-year, $24 million contract from Dallas. That averages out to $8 million per year, and as Graziano noted, it comes with $16 million in guarantees.

That feels like the price range for Etienne and Walker, give or take. However, a player like Dowdle or Allgeier should be slightly less expensive.

Breece Hall News Eliminates 1 RB Option for Chiefs

Live from the NFL Combine, it was reported that the New York Jets will retain star running back Breece Hall. Graziano reiterated that report on March 1.

Hall “will either get a deal done with the Jets before Tuesday’s tag deadline or receive a franchise or transition tag,” the insider told readers.

This effectively eliminates one RB option for the Chiefs. Two, if you count Williams’ deal with the Cowboys.

There is a lack of starting-caliber running backs available once you stray beyond the players Graziano mentioned. A few free agent options could be serviceable, like Brian Robinson Jr., J.K. Dobbins, or Rachaad White, but the 2026 NFL Draft could also provide the answer.

Most Chiefs fans should know the name Jeremiyah Love by now, but the Notre Dame star isn’t the only quality back available in April.

Teammate Jadarian Price is an intriguing prospect who was stuck behind Love in college. Meanwhile, incoming rookies like Jonah Coleman, Emmett Johnson, Nick Singleton, Kaytron Allen, Seth McGowan, and Mike Washington Jr. headline the remaining standouts.

It feels like a foregone conclusion that the Chiefs will have a new starting running back in 2026. The only question is who.

Michael Obermuller covers the NFL as an Associate Editor for Heavy Sports, where he began writing in 2021. His areas of focus include the NFL breaking news operation, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, with expert knowledge on each based on years of coverage. Michael is an NYC area native and Quinnipiac graduate. More about Michael Obermuller