The Kansas City Chiefs thought they had all they needed at running back. With Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt returning, a promising draft pick in Brashard Smith, and the addition of Elijah Mitchell in free agency, it seemed like the backfield would be good enough for another run at a championship. After all, the Chiefs have gone without major investment in the backfield for the last few years and enjoyed great success.
However, the Chiefs' rushing attack has been subpar this season, and they're desperately missing an explosive playmaker that can keep defenses on their heels. The trade deadline almost brought Breece Hall to Kansas City, but Brett Veach didn't pony up, and they're now paying the price.
Cameo appearances from Mitchell and Clyde Edwards-Helaire have not been fruitful, and after a solid showing against the Las Vegas Raiders, Smith hasn't taken the next step. The options outside the building are typically slim this time of year, but somehow, a formidable option just became available.
Chiefs must sign Dameon Pierce to cheap deal now that he's a free agent
On Thursday, the Houston Texans waived running back Dameon Pierce, and we talked about why he'd be a good fit for the Chiefs. It stood to reason, however, that there would be several teams ahead of Kansas City on the waiver wire that would line up for his talents.
Yet, on Friday, the NFL gods provided for the Chiefs, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Pierce cleared waivers, and he is now a free agent. Now would be the time for Veach to stop sitting on his hands and make an impactful move that can propel the Kansas City offense down the stretch.
Pierce is not necessarily a high-end speedster with game-wrecking big-play ability, but he did have a 92-yard touchdown jaunt last season against a strong Tennessee Titans defense. He also had a 75-yard touchdown run as a rookie, so that play-making is still in there somewhere.
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Signing Pierce would not exactly be an expensive endeavor, as he is still playing in the final year of his rookie deal, and he was a fourth-round pick. It might not cost the Chiefs more than a couple of hundred thousand dollars to pay out his contract and get him to Kansas City.
The allure of the Chiefs is still very real around the league, as hopping on the roster in Kansas City has been like getting a free ticket to the Super Bowl. Of course, this year has not gone the way that the team planned, but this will be the perception until proven otherwise.
With the Chiefs hanging back in the AFC playoff picture, and a jolt to the offense, specifically the rushing attack, desperately needed, Veach and Co. need to make a move, and fast. It's not every day that a starting quality running back becomes available in Week 12 when you badly need one.