The Kansas City Chiefs’ need for running back reinforcements has been obvious all season, but Sunday’s performance against the Philadelphia Eagles underscored it more than ever. Seventh-round steal Isaiah Pacheco has delivered far beyond his draft pedigree, yet his recurring shortcomings in vision, explosiveness, and pass-catching have become a real limitation on the offense.
Fortunately for GM Brett Veach (and the restless KC fan base), there are several realistic trade options available before the deadline, and perhaps even sooner. Here are three backs who could immediately elevate Kansas City’s backfield.
Alvin Kamara, Saints
Alvin Kamara’s circumstances in New Orleans mirror Tony Gonzalez’s final days in Kansas City. The Saints are stuck in a multi-year rebuild with little to no hope of contending, and Kamara—one of their few remaining stars—has yet to win a championship. With an $18 million cap hit looming in 2026, his presence only complicates an already bleak financial picture, making a parting of ways seem both inevitable and mutually beneficial.
From a contract standpoint, Kamara is far more affordable than his reputation might suggest. For the Chiefs, he would cost just under $3 million this season and around $11 million in 2026, with the flexibility of a minimal $3 million dead cap hit if released. Kansas City could clear the necessary space by moving on from Elijah Mitchell, and while there’s always the risk of injury, the downside is capped at roughly $6 million in wasted cap room—an easy decision for the KC brass.
On the field, Kamara offers exactly what the Chiefs’ offense has been missing: explosiveness, vision, and high-level receiving ability out of the backfield. Even at age 30, he’s still producing at an elite level, surpassing 1,400 scrimmage yards in 2024. His skill set perfectly complements Patrick Mahomes, providing both pass protection and dynamic checkdown potential. He’s truly a weapon who can turn a simple swing pass into a 35-yard touchdown. For the price of a fifth- to sixth-round pick, this move would be difficult for Kansas City to pass up.
Alvin Kamara is still really good at football pic.twitter.com/IxVAtoUdHF
— Casual Sports Fan (@bigsportscasual) September 7, 2025
De'Von Achane, Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have stumbled out of the gate with losses to the Patriots and Colts, and the dreaded “players-only meeting” only added to the sense that the locker room is unraveling. If a collapse sparks a rebuild, a veteran fire sale could follow, and young playmakers like De’Von Achane might be moved in favor of draft capital and scheme-specific talent. For a new coaching regime, Achane may not be the running back archetype they’re looking to build around.
From a financial standpoint, Achane’s deal is a dream for Kansas City. He carries just a $1.1 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons, giving the Chiefs elite production at a bargain price. The challenge lies in acquisition cost and future commitments. A trade would likely demand a fourth- to fifth-round pick, and Achane will almost certainly push for a lucrative extension in the $12–13 million per year range. That level of investment could make the Chiefs hesitant despite the short-term affordability.
On the field, Achane is tailor-made for Kansas City’s system. He thrives in zone schemes, adds legitimate pass-catching versatility, and is one of the league’s most dangerous players in space. While not an ideal short-yardage back, his open-field explosiveness makes him a top-five threat with the ball in his hands. His 2024 stat line—nearly 1,500 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns—rivals even Alvin Kamara’s production from last year. Pairing that kind of dynamism with Patrick Mahomes would force defensive coordinators to rethink how they defend the Chiefs entirely.
DE’VON ACHANE IS A TOP-5 RB IN THE NFL. pic.twitter.com/BIJlJzdhhM
— Jason Petrucci (@Jpet_7) September 14, 2025
Jerome Ford, Browns
The Cleveland Browns have a crowded backfield, and Jerome Ford appears to be the odd man out. With second-rounder Quinshon Judkins slated for most early-down work and 2025 fourth-round pick Dylan Sampson handling passing downs, Ford’s role has diminished. On a non-contending Browns roster, moving him makes sense.
From a financial perspective, Ford is extremely affordable. He has just one year remaining on his deal at a $1.5 million cap hit, making him a low-cost rental for Kansas City. If the Chiefs wanted to keep him beyond 2025, a veteran-minimum extension (or something close) would likely suffice. In terms of trade value, his market would be modest; a conditional seventh-round pick should be enough to land him.
On the field, Ford hasn’t quite matched his early flashes, but a return to his 2023 form would be a significant boost to the Chiefs’ ground game. His elusiveness, speed, and pass-catching ability out of the backfield address glaring weaknesses in Kansas City’s rotation. With such little financial or draft capital risk, Ford represents a smart, low-cost gamble for a team in need of backfield depth.
JEROME FORD TO THE HOUSE #BearcatsInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/I62FO4UHSt
— Barstool Cincinnati (@UCBarstool) December 29, 2023
Conclusion
The Chiefs don’t need a superstar to fix their backfield—they need reliability, versatility, and a spark to take pressure off Patrick Mahomes. Whether it’s the proven all-around skill set of Alvin Kamara, the explosive big-play ability of De’Von Achane, or the low-risk upside of Jerome Ford, each of these players addresses Kansas City’s glaring need in different ways.
With the offense struggling to find balance, Brett Veach has every reason to act sooner rather than later. A calculated move at running back could be the difference between another playoff push and another season of Mahomes carrying too heavy a load.