{"id":132978,"date":"2026-01-01T23:07:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T23:07:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=132978"},"modified":"2026-01-01T23:07:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T23:07:24","slug":"%f0%9f%9b%91-scouting-alert-chiefs-may-have-found-a-low-cost-rb-answer-hiding-in-plain-sight-the-recent-workout-barely-made-noise-but-the-implications-are-quietly-growing-this-move-could-offer-dep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=132978","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\uded1 SCOUTING ALERT: Chiefs may have found a low cost RB answer hiding in plain sight. The recent workout barely made noise, but the implications are quietly growing. This move could offer depth, insurance, and flexibility without gambling the future. Fans are starting to wonder why this name suddenly makes so much sense. The smartest signings rarely come with fireworks \ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"606\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_fill,w_1200,ar_4:3,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/220\/01kdts496kh4y2qew34p.jpg\" alt=\"Chiefs' Recent RB Workout Would Be Perfect Fit as Low-Risk Signing\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"606\"><strong data-start=\"438\" data-end=\"606\">With the Kansas City Chiefs officially eliminated from playoff contention several weeks ago, attention within the organization has shifted firmly toward the future.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"608\" data-end=\"681\"><strong data-start=\"608\" data-end=\"681\">For fans, that future revolves around two familiar offseason pillars.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"683\" data-end=\"699\"><strong data-start=\"683\" data-end=\"699\">Free agency.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"728\"><strong data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"728\">And the 2026 NFL Draft.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"733\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"827\"><strong data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"827\">Whenever a season ends earlier than expected in Kansas City, the microscope intensifies.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"934\"><strong data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"934\">Questions about roster construction, depth, and long-term planning immediately move to the forefront.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"936\" data-end=\"966\"><strong data-start=\"936\" data-end=\"966\">This year is no different.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"968\" data-end=\"971\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"973\" data-end=\"1089\"><strong data-start=\"973\" data-end=\"1089\">What has been notable, however, is how quickly the Chiefs\u2019 front office appears to be acting on those questions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1213\"><strong data-start=\"1091\" data-end=\"1213\">Rather than waiting for the offseason calendar to officially begin, Kansas City has already started laying groundwork.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1266\"><strong data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1266\">And they are doing so quietly but deliberately.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1268\" data-end=\"1271\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1373\"><strong data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1373\">Over the past several weeks, the Chiefs have brought in a steady stream of players for workouts.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1375\" data-end=\"1429\"><strong data-start=\"1375\" data-end=\"1429\">These sessions are not headline-grabbing signings.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1431\" data-end=\"1513\"><strong data-start=\"1431\" data-end=\"1513\">Instead, they are exploratory moves designed to identify developmental talent.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1515\" data-end=\"1563\"><strong data-start=\"1515\" data-end=\"1563\">Players who could fit on the practice squad.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1565\" data-end=\"1647\"><strong data-start=\"1565\" data-end=\"1647\">Or players who could be secured on futures contracts ahead of the 2026 season.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"1652\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"1654\" data-end=\"1757\"><strong data-start=\"1654\" data-end=\"1757\">According to Jesse Newell of The Athletic, Kansas City held a sizable 13-player workout on Tuesday.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1759\" data-end=\"1883\"><strong data-start=\"1759\" data-end=\"1883\">The session included multiple position groups and offered the front office an extended look at several fringe prospects.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1885\" data-end=\"1961\"><strong data-start=\"1885\" data-end=\"1961\">Following the workout, the Chiefs made a pair of immediate roster moves.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"1966\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"1968\" data-end=\"2036\"><strong data-start=\"1968\" data-end=\"2036\">Defensive tackle Marcus Harris was signed to the practice squad.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2038\" data-end=\"2092\"><strong data-start=\"2038\" data-end=\"2092\">Linebacker Kam Arnold was added to the taxi squad.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2094\" data-end=\"2199\"><strong data-start=\"2094\" data-end=\"2199\">Both moves align with Kansas City\u2019s long-standing philosophy of continuously cycling defensive depth.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2201\" data-end=\"2204\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"2206\" data-end=\"2277\"><strong data-start=\"2206\" data-end=\"2277\">Yet among all the names involved, one stood out more than the rest.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2279\" data-end=\"2315\"><strong data-start=\"2279\" data-end=\"2315\">Running back ShunDerrick Powell.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2320\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"2322\" data-end=\"2360\"><strong data-start=\"2322\" data-end=\"2360\">Powell was not signed immediately.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2362\" data-end=\"2446\"><strong data-start=\"2362\" data-end=\"2446\">But the mere fact that Kansas City brought him in for a workout raised eyebrows.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2448\" data-end=\"2472\"><strong data-start=\"2448\" data-end=\"2472\">And for good reason.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2448\" data-end=\"2472\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_5,w_6000,h_3375\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/220\/01kdxsyeka2c9jevjp8m.jpg\" alt=\"Chiefs Showing Promising Brashard Smith Signs That Inspire Hope\" \/><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2474\" data-end=\"2477\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"2479\" data-end=\"2554\"><strong data-start=\"2479\" data-end=\"2554\">The Chiefs\u2019 running back room is poised for significant change in 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2556\" data-end=\"2652\"><strong data-start=\"2556\" data-end=\"2652\">Veteran contributors Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both scheduled to become free agents.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2654\" data-end=\"2727\"><strong data-start=\"2654\" data-end=\"2727\">Their departures would leave behind both opportunity and uncertainty.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2729\" data-end=\"2732\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"2734\" data-end=\"2809\"><strong data-start=\"2734\" data-end=\"2809\">At present, Kansas City still has rookie Brashard Smith under contract.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2811\" data-end=\"2899\"><strong data-start=\"2811\" data-end=\"2899\">There is also a possibility that Dameon Pierce could be retained via a futures deal.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2901\" data-end=\"2965\"><strong data-start=\"2901\" data-end=\"2965\">But beyond those names, the depth chart is far from settled.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"2967\" data-end=\"2970\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"2972\" data-end=\"3012\"><strong data-start=\"2972\" data-end=\"3012\">That uncertainty creates an opening.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3041\"><strong data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3041\">And it creates urgency.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3043\" data-end=\"3046\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3117\"><strong data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3117\">Kansas City\u2019s offense has long been defined by speed and spacing.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3229\"><strong data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3229\">The running back position, while not always the focal point, plays a critical role in maintaining balance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3322\"><strong data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3322\">Explosiveness out of the backfield forces defenses to account for every blade of grass.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3324\" data-end=\"3327\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"3329\" data-end=\"3367\"><strong data-start=\"3329\" data-end=\"3367\">ShunDerrick Powell fits that mold.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3369\" data-end=\"3391\"><strong data-start=\"3369\" data-end=\"3391\">At least on paper.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3393\" data-end=\"3396\" \/>\n<h3 data-start=\"3398\" data-end=\"3466\"><strong data-start=\"3402\" data-end=\"3466\">Chiefs Can\u2019t Let Promising RB They Just Worked Out Slip Away<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3468\" data-end=\"3565\"><strong data-start=\"3468\" data-end=\"3565\">Powell has been a familiar name on the workout circuit throughout much of the regular season.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3567\" data-end=\"3715\"><strong data-start=\"3567\" data-end=\"3715\">After being waived by the <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Philadelphia Eagles<\/span><\/span> at the end of the preseason in August, Powell has remained active and available.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3717\" data-end=\"3778\"><strong data-start=\"3717\" data-end=\"3778\">Teams across the league have shown intermittent interest.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3780\" data-end=\"3817\"><strong data-start=\"3780\" data-end=\"3817\">Kansas City is simply the latest.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"3819\" data-end=\"3822\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"3824\" data-end=\"3885\"><strong data-start=\"3824\" data-end=\"3885\">Powell\u2019s preseason numbers with Philadelphia were modest.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3887\" data-end=\"3952\"><strong data-start=\"3887\" data-end=\"3952\">He recorded 23 rushing yards and one touchdown on 10 carries.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3954\" data-end=\"4025\"><strong data-start=\"3954\" data-end=\"4025\">He added one reception for two yards across three exhibition games.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4027\" data-end=\"4079\"><strong data-start=\"4027\" data-end=\"4079\">Those statistics alone do not jump off the page.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4081\" data-end=\"4084\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"4086\" data-end=\"4142\"><strong data-start=\"4086\" data-end=\"4142\">But preseason box scores rarely tell the full story.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4144\" data-end=\"4202\"><strong data-start=\"4144\" data-end=\"4202\">And in Powell\u2019s case, they barely scratch the surface.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4204\" data-end=\"4207\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"4209\" data-end=\"4251\"><strong data-start=\"4209\" data-end=\"4251\">At the FCS level, Powell was dominant.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4253\" data-end=\"4351\"><strong data-start=\"4253\" data-end=\"4351\">Between his time at North Alabama and Central Arkansas, he amassed 4,021 career rushing yards.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4353\" data-end=\"4389\"><strong data-start=\"4353\" data-end=\"4389\">He scored 38 rushing touchdowns.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4391\" data-end=\"4429\"><strong data-start=\"4391\" data-end=\"4429\">He was not simply a volume runner.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4431\" data-end=\"4434\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"4436\" data-end=\"4487\"><strong data-start=\"4436\" data-end=\"4487\">Powell was also heavily involved as a receiver.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4489\" data-end=\"4524\"><strong data-start=\"4489\" data-end=\"4524\">He totaled 752 receiving yards.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4526\" data-end=\"4576\"><strong data-start=\"4526\" data-end=\"4576\">He added four more touchdowns through the air.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4578\" data-end=\"4629\"><strong data-start=\"4578\" data-end=\"4629\">He caught 89 passes over his collegiate career.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4631\" data-end=\"4634\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"4636\" data-end=\"4709\"><strong data-start=\"4636\" data-end=\"4709\">That dual-threat profile is precisely what modern NFL offenses covet.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4711\" data-end=\"4769\"><strong data-start=\"4711\" data-end=\"4769\">Especially offenses built around space and mismatches.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4771\" data-end=\"4774\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"4776\" data-end=\"4842\"><strong data-start=\"4776\" data-end=\"4842\">Physically, Powell is undersized by traditional NFL standards.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4844\" data-end=\"4910\"><strong data-start=\"4844\" data-end=\"4910\">He measures just 5-foot-7 and weighs approximately 175 pounds.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4912\" data-end=\"4959\"><strong data-start=\"4912\" data-end=\"4959\">That size will immediately raise questions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"4961\" data-end=\"4964\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"4966\" data-end=\"5005\"><strong data-start=\"4966\" data-end=\"5005\">But speed changes the conversation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5007\" data-end=\"5049\"><strong data-start=\"5007\" data-end=\"5049\">Powell ran a 4.40-second 40-yard dash.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5051\" data-end=\"5104\"><strong data-start=\"5051\" data-end=\"5104\">That level of acceleration is difficult to teach.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5106\" data-end=\"5184\"><strong data-start=\"5106\" data-end=\"5184\">And it is something the Chiefs consistently prioritize at skill positions.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5186\" data-end=\"5189\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"5191\" data-end=\"5245\"><strong data-start=\"5191\" data-end=\"5245\">Kansas City has never been afraid to bet on speed.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5247\" data-end=\"5347\"><strong data-start=\"5247\" data-end=\"5347\">From wide receivers to running backs, explosiveness has remained a defining trait of the roster.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5349\" data-end=\"5389\"><strong data-start=\"5349\" data-end=\"5389\">Powell checks that box emphatically.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5391\" data-end=\"5394\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"5396\" data-end=\"5447\"><strong data-start=\"5396\" data-end=\"5447\">The Chiefs are not unfamiliar with him, either.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5449\" data-end=\"5530\"><strong data-start=\"5449\" data-end=\"5530\">Kansas City invited Powell to its facilities ahead of the NFL Draft in April.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5532\" data-end=\"5579\"><strong data-start=\"5532\" data-end=\"5579\">That visit established an early connection.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5581\" data-end=\"5665\"><strong data-start=\"5581\" data-end=\"5665\">The recent workout suggests continued interest rather than a one-off evaluation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5667\" data-end=\"5670\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"5672\" data-end=\"5781\"><strong data-start=\"5672\" data-end=\"5781\">If Powell were to land with the Chiefs, his initial path to relevance would likely come on special teams.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5783\" data-end=\"5860\"><strong data-start=\"5783\" data-end=\"5860\">His burst and acceleration make him a natural candidate for kick returns.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5862\" data-end=\"5928\"><strong data-start=\"5862\" data-end=\"5928\">That role alone could justify a roster or practice squad spot.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5930\" data-end=\"5933\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"5961\"><strong data-start=\"5935\" data-end=\"5961\">There are limitations.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5963\" data-end=\"6013\"><strong data-start=\"5963\" data-end=\"6013\">Powell does not offer much in pass protection.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6015\" data-end=\"6076\"><strong data-start=\"6015\" data-end=\"6076\">That deficiency could restrict his early offensive snaps.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6078\" data-end=\"6148\"><strong data-start=\"6078\" data-end=\"6148\">Protection assignments are non-negotiable in Kansas City\u2019s system.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"6150\" data-end=\"6153\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"6155\" data-end=\"6185\"><strong data-start=\"6155\" data-end=\"6185\">Still, creativity matters.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6187\" data-end=\"6253\"><strong data-start=\"6187\" data-end=\"6253\">And Andy Reid\u2019s offense thrives when it can manufacture space.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6386\"><strong data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6386\">Using Powell on screen passes, swing routes, and designed touches behind a healthy offensive line is an intriguing possibility.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6386\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_2199,h_1236,x_0,y_117\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/220\/01kdtvmf3chkk06z7h9t.jpg\" alt=\"Kansas City News and Fan Community - KC Kingdom\" \/><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"6388\" data-end=\"6391\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"6393\" data-end=\"6444\"><strong data-start=\"6393\" data-end=\"6444\">In open space, Powell\u2019s speed becomes a weapon.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6446\" data-end=\"6489\"><strong data-start=\"6446\" data-end=\"6489\">And weapons matter in January football.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"6491\" data-end=\"6494\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"6496\" data-end=\"6580\"><strong data-start=\"6496\" data-end=\"6580\">Kansas City has already seen how quickly a promising running back can slip away.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6582\" data-end=\"6645\"><strong data-start=\"6582\" data-end=\"6645\">Earlier this season, the Chiefs worked out Damien Martinez.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6647\" data-end=\"6740\"><strong data-start=\"6647\" data-end=\"6740\">Martinez ultimately signed with the <span class=\"hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline\"><span class=\"whitespace-normal\">Green Bay Packers<\/span><\/span> practice squad.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6742\" data-end=\"6786\"><strong data-start=\"6742\" data-end=\"6786\">That outcome served as a quiet reminder.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"6788\" data-end=\"6791\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"6793\" data-end=\"6853\"><strong data-start=\"6793\" data-end=\"6853\">If you see something you like, hesitation can be costly.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"6855\" data-end=\"6858\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"6860\" data-end=\"6912\"><strong data-start=\"6860\" data-end=\"6912\">For the Chiefs, the risk with Powell is minimal.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6914\" data-end=\"6998\"><strong data-start=\"6914\" data-end=\"6998\">A futures deal or practice squad spot would require little financial commitment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7000\" data-end=\"7050\"><strong data-start=\"7000\" data-end=\"7050\">The potential upside, however, is significant.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"7052\" data-end=\"7055\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"7057\" data-end=\"7103\"><strong data-start=\"7057\" data-end=\"7103\">Powell could develop into backfield depth.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7105\" data-end=\"7159\"><strong data-start=\"7105\" data-end=\"7159\">He could emerge as a situational offensive weapon.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7161\" data-end=\"7242\"><strong data-start=\"7161\" data-end=\"7242\">At the very least, he could provide competition during training camp in 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"7244\" data-end=\"7247\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"7249\" data-end=\"7330\"><strong data-start=\"7249\" data-end=\"7330\">Competition has always been a cornerstone of Kansas City\u2019s roster philosophy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7332\" data-end=\"7364\"><strong data-start=\"7332\" data-end=\"7364\">The best players earn roles.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7366\" data-end=\"7392\"><strong data-start=\"7366\" data-end=\"7392\">Nothing is handed out.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"7394\" data-end=\"7397\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"7399\" data-end=\"7510\"><strong data-start=\"7399\" data-end=\"7510\">As the Chiefs evaluate their offseason priorities, the running back position remains one of the most fluid.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7512\" data-end=\"7539\"><strong data-start=\"7512\" data-end=\"7539\">Contracts are expiring.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7541\" data-end=\"7565\"><strong data-start=\"7541\" data-end=\"7565\">Roles are undefined.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7567\" data-end=\"7599\"><strong data-start=\"7567\" data-end=\"7599\">Opportunities are available.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"7601\" data-end=\"7604\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"7606\" data-end=\"7687\"><strong data-start=\"7606\" data-end=\"7687\">ShunDerrick Powell represents a low-risk, high-speed option in that equation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7689\" data-end=\"7806\"><strong data-start=\"7689\" data-end=\"7806\">Letting him walk without further investment would be difficult to justify if the internal evaluation is positive.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"7808\" data-end=\"7811\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"7813\" data-end=\"7917\"><em data-start=\"7813\" data-end=\"7917\">Because in a league defined by margins, sometimes the smallest players create the biggest differences.<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7919\" data-end=\"8051\"><strong data-start=\"7919\" data-end=\"8051\">And for a Chiefs team preparing for a retooled 2026 roster, Powell may be exactly the type of developmental gamble worth taking.<\/strong><\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"8053\" data-end=\"8056\" \/>\n<p data-start=\"8058\" data-end=\"8164\"><strong data-start=\"8058\" data-end=\"8164\">If Kansas City truly believes in what he brings to the table, they cannot afford to let him slip away.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8166\" data-end=\"8180\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"><strong data-start=\"8166\" data-end=\"8180\" data-is-last-node=\"\">Not again.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the Kansas City Chiefs officially eliminated from playoff contention several weeks ago, attention within the organization has shifted firmly toward the future. For fans, that future&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":132979,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-132978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>\ud83d\uded1 SCOUTING ALERT: Chiefs may have found a low cost RB answer hiding in plain sight. The recent workout barely made noise, but the implications are quietly growing. This move could offer depth, insurance, and flexibility without gambling the future. Fans are starting to wonder why this name suddenly makes so much sense. The smartest signings rarely come with fireworks \ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=132978\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\uded1 SCOUTING ALERT: Chiefs may have found a low cost RB answer hiding in plain sight. The recent workout barely made noise, but the implications are quietly growing. This move could offer depth, insurance, and flexibility without gambling the future. Fans are starting to wonder why this name suddenly makes so much sense. The smartest signings rarely come with fireworks \ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With the Kansas City Chiefs officially eliminated from playoff contention several weeks ago, attention within the organization has shifted firmly toward the future. 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