When it comes to the long list of offseason items the Kansas City Chiefs have to work through, fans have an idea of what should be at the top.
And that’s a pass rusher.
Last season, the Chiefs’ defense struggled to get consistent pressure on the quarterback, as too much was left to too few.
But there’s another position that you could argue is more important, and that’s running back. Both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are free agents, and the Chiefs need a true difference-maker out of the backfield.
And for Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame, getting a genuine weapon in the run game has to be Kansas City’s top priority.
“With Pacheco’s lack of vision and Hunt’s dearth of speed, Kansas City’s ground game was dead on arrival,” Verderame wrote. “This offseason, general manager Brett Veach’s top priority should be finding a dynamic threat to place behind Mahomes. They could also use their No. 9 pick on Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love if he’s available.”
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Who could Chiefs target?
Free agency looms as a key spot to land a genuine difference-maker and a known commodity, with Breece Hall and Travis Etienne the two most mentioned.
Either would be a significant upgrade for the Chiefs.
Then there’s the draft, and the Chiefs hold the No. 9 pick, and in some mock drafts, running back Jeremiyah Love is selected by Kansas City. He’s a difference-maker too, but isn’t a known NFL commodity.
Either way, I’m sure Chiefs Kingdom would be happy with either of those three, and if one were to eventuate, Kansas City’s run game will be vastly improved in 2026.
