The Kansas City Chiefs enter the offseason needing to upgrade the running back position after ranking 25th in rushing last season. Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco, Dameon Pierce, and Keaontay Ingram are set to hit free agency, leaving Brashard Smith as the only player under contract who is not on a reserve/future deal. Hunt turns 31 in August, while Pacheco has battled injuries over the past two seasons, missing 14 games, and has not been the same player since 2023, totaling just 772 yards across 3.8 yards per attempt and two touchdowns during that span.
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Because of this, the Chiefs are expected to address the position in free agency or the upcoming draft. Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s superstar Jeremiyah Love may not be available when the team is on the clock at No. 9.
The Kansas City Chiefs could be in play for a talented RB in free agency
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Oct 26, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) celebrates the win against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly expressed interest in acquiring New York Jets standout Breece Hall during the NFL Trade Deadline, offering him a fourth-round pick. Kansas City ultimately balked at trading him after New York was steadfast in wanting a third-round pick, which the front office was unwilling to give up. Since the Chiefs have cleared plenty of cap space by restructuring or cutting players and are set to free up more space, they could break the bank in free agency.
Hall’s rookie contract just expired and is set to hit the open market in March. However, he may not be available, as the Jets could place a transition or franchise tag if an agreement cannot be reached before Tuesday’s tag deadline.
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The Chiefs see the top running back come off the board
Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets, derrick nnadi and Breece Hall
Oct 1, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (91) is called for a horsecollar penalty against New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
According to Connor Hughes of SportsNet New York, the Jets will place the franchise tag on Breece Hall on Tuesday if an agreement is not reached, rather than the transition tag. Under a transition tag, there is no draft compensation attached if the team refuses to match an opposing team’s offer sheet, while a franchise tag requires a signing team to cough up two first-round picks. This directly affects Kansas City because New York and Hall are working toward a long-term contract extension, which means he will likely stay put unless the negotiations go south and he is traded.
Sources to @snytv: The #Jets will place the franchise tag ($14.293m) on RB Breece Hall.
The two sides were working towards an extension, but couldn’t quite get there. The Jets expect him to play on the tag.
Transition tag was originally New York’s preferred route, as… pic.twitter.com/aXl6MO7tfl
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 3, 2026
Seattle Seahawks Kenneth Walker
Feb 9, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III poses with the MVP trophy during the Super Bowl LX winning head coach and most valuable player press conference at Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Kenneth Walker III
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