Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs entered the year with high expectations, yet their running back room delivered one of the least effective performances the organization had seen in years, creating widespread concern inside the franchise and across the fanbase.

Despite their reputation as one of the league’s most explosive offenses, the Chiefs shockingly have not produced a single 1,000-yard rusher since the seasons preceding the arrival of Patrick Mahomes, highlighting a long-term structural decline in their ground attack.

The 2025 campaign further illustrated this troubling trend, as Kansas City finished 25th in the NFL with only 1,812 total rushing yards, a disappointing figure that reinforced just how far the team had drifted from balanced offensive football.

What makes the situation even more alarming is the fact that the franchise has not surpassed the 2,000-yard rushing threshold in more than a decade, signaling a deeper systemic issue rather than a temporary slump or isolated personnel problem.

As the team enters the offseason, the Chiefs have just one running back—rookie Brashard Smith—remaining on the roster, placing immediate pressure on the front office to rebuild a backfield that clearly cannot sustain their championship aspirations.

In an effort to restore stability and creativity to the offense, Kansas City brought back a familiar face by hiring offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who returns after three years away and brings renewed optimism to the building.

Bieniemy spent time with the Washington Commanders, transitioned briefly to UCLA, and most recently served as the Chicago Bears’ running backs coach, helping guide a unit that finished third in the NFL with an impressive 2,456 rushing yards last season.

The Chiefs hope Bieniemy can replicate that success in Kansas City, especially considering that during his previous tenure as offensive coordinator, the team reached the postseason every single year, benefiting from his aggressive play-design philosophy and player-centric coaching style.

Historically, Andy Reid’s offenses have never relied on sheer rushing volume, instead focusing on efficiency and complementary football, using the run to create mismatches, dictate tempo, and open opportunities for Mahomes to exploit defenses downfield.

Kansas City believes it still possesses one of the league’s strongest offensive lines, but without a capable rotation of running backs to pair with that strength, the offense risks becoming overly predictable and excessively dependent on Mahomes’ heroics.

The front office recognizes that upgrading the backfield is not optional but essential, and the upcoming NFL Draft provides the most realistic avenue for adding multiple contributors capable of reshaping the team’s offensive identity.

Many fans and analysts have rallied behind the idea of selecting Jeremiyah Love, the Notre Dame sensation, with the ninth overall pick, viewing him as the ideal blend of explosiveness, production, and long-term upside for Kansas City.

Love emerged as a national standout after surpassing 1,000 rushing yards in 2024, earning rave reviews from draft analysts, and quickly becoming a favorite among Chiefs fans who are desperate for a true feature back to stabilize the offense.

Some evaluators have gone as far as comparing Love to star running backs like Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley, bold comparisons that illustrate just how highly regarded he is within this year’s incoming class of prospects.

Although the Chiefs enter the draft with needs across multiple positions, the sheer talent and versatility of Love make him an undeniably appealing option, especially for a team seeking immediate spark and long-term reliability in the running game.

Another compelling option is Jonah Coleman, widely considered one of the toughest, most physically imposing runners in the 2026 draft class, bringing a bruising downhill style that would fit perfectly in Kansas City’s offensive structure.

Coleman spent the last three seasons splitting time between Arizona and Washington, surpassing 1,000 yards from scrimmage annually, while consistently displaying the durability and toughness expected from a true workhorse back.

At 5’9″ and 225 pounds, Coleman’s low-center-of-gravity power profile makes him extremely difficult to bring down, and defensive coordinators often highlight his bruising style as one of the most challenging attributes to prepare for.

His ability to pass protect, catch the football, and handle heavy workloads makes him a strong schematic fit, particularly because Andy Reid historically prefers backs under six feet tall who can contribute in multiple phases of the offense.

If Kansas City opts to wait until Day Two, Mike Washington Jr. offers one of the most intriguing athlete profiles in the entire class, rising quickly after an electrifying performance at the NFL Combine with a blazing 4.33-second 40-yard dash.

Washington’s journey from a lightly recruited high-school prospect to a productive college star required resilience, multiple transfers, and steady improvement, showcasing traits that NFL evaluators tend to value highly when projecting long-term careers.

After stints at Buffalo and New Mexico State, Washington exploded at Arkansas, surpassing 1,000 yards and proving he could dominate against SEC-level competition, which significantly elevated his draft stock entering 2026.

At the Senior Bowl, Washington was tracked at 21 miles per hour despite weighing roughly 230 pounds, a rare athletic combination that immediately caught the attention of scouts searching for big-play potential at the next level.

His blend of power, long-speed, and production makes him an ideal complement for the Chiefs, who have always prioritized speed as a core component of their offensive identity under Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.

For teams searching for a late-round gem, Robert Henry Jr. stands out as one of the most dynamic small-school prospects, combining elite athleticism with a production résumé that is impossible to overlook.

Henry’s background as a multi-sport athlete—competing in football, basketball, and track—helped develop his footwork, explosiveness, and overall coordination, traits that contributed heavily to his breakout career at UTSA.

Over three seasons with the Roadrunners, Henry accumulated more than 2,300 yards and 27 touchdowns, proving he had the workload capacity, durability, and playmaking instincts required for professional success at the next level.

At the Shrine Bowl, Henry showcased his versatility, acceleration, and ability to create explosive plays, impressing scouts who now view him as one of the most intriguing later-round options for running back-needy teams like Kansas City.

Should the Chiefs look for a polished, experienced, do-everything back with strong character and leadership qualities, Roman Hemby becomes an appealing option capable of immediately fitting into the culture and expectations of the franchise.

Hemby built his reputation at Maryland as a reliable, intelligent, and hard-working student-athlete before transferring to Indiana, where he became a pivotal contributor to a national championship team that shocked the college football world.

Beyond his on-field production, Hemby’s personal character consistently stands out, as teammates and coaches frequently describe him as humble, disciplined, and committed—traits that often predict long-term success in the NFL.

Athletically, Hemby possesses legitimate home-run speed, demonstrated by his impressive 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, and his receiving ability makes him an immediate asset for any offense that values versatility and route running.

Although he sometimes runs too upright, exposing himself to unnecessary contact, his improved pass protection and field vision make him a viable fit in Kansas City, particularly as a mid- or late-round developmental contributor.

As the Chiefs evaluate their options, it is increasingly clear that rebuilding their rushing attack is no longer a luxury but an absolute necessity, especially as rival AFC contenders continue investing heavily in their ground games.

For Kansas City to reclaim dominance and reestablish a balanced offensive identity, they must find multiple contributors—ideally a blend of speed, power, and durability—to finally restore a backfield that has struggled for nearly a decade.

Whether they select Jeremiyah Love early, pursue a bruiser like Jonah Coleman, target a versatile speedster such as Mike Washington Jr., or uncover a late-round gem like Robert Henry Jr. or Roman Hemby, the Chiefs cannot afford to miss.

Because in 2026, with the league evolving, defenses adapting, and competition tightening around every corner, fixing the run game may be the single most important key to extending the Mahomes-Reid championship window before it begins to narrow.