The Kansas City Chiefs' general manager, Brett Veach, speaking to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, February 25, 2025
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The Kansas City Chiefs' general manager, Brett Veach, speaking to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, February 25, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs should add at least a couple of impact players during free agency this offseason.
We are less than one week away from the free agent legal tampering period, which begins on Monday. The Chiefs have taken several steps to improve their salary cap situation, such as restructuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract, as well as releasing defensive end Mike Danna and offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor.
Kansas City has plenty of roster holes to fill before we get to April’s draft. One of its top needs is at running back. The Chiefs currently have just two under contract for the 2026 season – Brashard Smith and ShunDerrick Powell. If they plan to address the position in free agency, they now have one less top-end option to choose from.
Kansas City Chiefs Can Mark Breece Hall off List of FA RBs After New York Jets Franchise Tagged Him
The Chiefs have been linked to Hall since last season when they had interest in acquiring him for a fourth-round draft pick. They would not meet New York’s asking price of a third-round pick, resulting in no deal. Since then, the Jets have been committed to keeping Hall for the long term. They took another step in keeping their star back Tuesday by placing the franchise tag on him, first reported by Adam Schefter.
The two sides will now work toward agreeing to a long-term deal. It’s possible New York could still trade Hall, but the Chiefs are definitely not in position to give up the type of draft capitol it would take to acquire him. Kansas City will likely now move on to other options in either free agency or the draft.
Examining the Chiefs’ Options to Improve at RB
Kenneth Walker III Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl LX
GettyKenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks
Fortunately, there are still plenty of talented backs to choose from with Hall off the board. The Chiefs have been heavily linked to Travis Etienne Jr., who is not expected to be retained by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Etienne has rushed for over 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons in the NFL.
Super Bowl champion Kenneth Walker III will also hit the open market as the Seattle Seahawks opted not to franchise tag him. Walker rushed for 1,027 yards in 2025, and an additional 313 yards during the postseason. His 135-yard effort earned him MVP honors in Seattle’s Super Bowl LX victory over the New England Patriots.
Other notable names set to become free agents include Tyler Allgeier, Najee Harris, Rico Dowdle, and Antonio Gibson. Most of the guys after Etienne and Walker are more rotational players than workhorses, meaning the Chiefs would probably need to pair them with a rookie from the draft. Among them could be top RB prospect Jeremiyah Love, who many feel would be a perfect fit in Kansas City.
If the Chiefs go a different direction with their ninth overall pick, they could take a RB in the second or third round. Regardless of how the dominos fall, Kansas City’s RB corps will look much different in 2026 as it is expected to move on from Isiah Pacheco, who has spent most of the past four seasons as the team’s starter. Veteran Kareem Hunt could be brough back into the fold, but as of now he is set to also become a free agent.