It appears the Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs and New England Patriots are set up for a trade deadline struggle over the same position.
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Chiefs, Chargers, Texans and Patriots are all in the market for a running back.
“Teams don’t usually like to commit high-end resources to the position in today’s NFL, but some contending teams are looking to beef up at running back, including the Patriots, Chiefs and Texans,” Graziano reported.
Graziano adds that the Chargers “have also inquired about RBs.”
The ESPN insider points to Isiah Pacheco’s injury as a reason for the Chiefs to be in the market, although he cautions Kansas City could stay put with Kareem Hunt and upstart rookie Brashard Smith also on the roster.
The Texans’ interest in a running back stems from the mysterious injury situation involving Joe Mixon’s foot issue, which has led to fears he won’t play in 2025.
The Chargers are also dealing with significant injuries at running back with Najee Harris out for the season and Omarion Hampton on injured reserve.
In New England, the Patriots lost Antonio Gibson to a season-ending injury and Rhamondre Stevenson is now hurt, as well. A veteran addition to bolster a room that now includes rookie TreVeyon Henderson and second-year back Terrell Jennings could be in order, Graziano says.
When it comes to options for all four teams, the high end is New York Jets running back Breece Hall, although Graziano says he “it sounds like the Jets will hold on to him” barring a great offer, like a third-round pick, for example.
Graziano also named the Cleveland Browns‘ Jerome Ford and the Miami Dolphins‘ Jaylen Wright as possible options. Ford is, of course, the more proven of the two and is a perfect solution for a win-now team.
Tennessee Titans rusher Tony Pollard and Carolina Panthers back Chuba Hubbard were also mentioned as possible options by Graziano, although he adds that the Titans seem to be keen on keeping Pollard and Hubbard’s contract may might it difficult to move him.
