Chiefs and Andy Reid could face competition from Broncos amid NFL free agency news
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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid embraces Denver Broncos counterpart Sean Payton.
The Kansas City Chiefs will likely be on the hunt for a veteran running back this week during NFL free agency, and the latest news and rumors on March 8 connect both KC and the AFC West rival Denver Broncos to the same target.
According to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, current Jacksonville Jaguars free agent Travis Etienne Jr. “has AFC West love via Denver and Kansas City.”
Fowler also noted that both bitter rivals could “check on” Seattle Seahawks free agent and reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, although Walker’s price tag is expected to be too high for the Chiefs and Broncos.
“Most around the league suspect Kansas City will come away with a running back, whether one of the top players or a player in the middle tier,” Fowler concluded. But it appears Etienne is their No. 1 RB target.
Unfortunately, Denver seems to be eyeing the dual-threat playmaker, too.
Potential Chiefs Free Agency Target Travis Etienne Has Been More Consistent Than He Gets Credit For
Chiefs and Broncos linked to Travis Etienne in NFL free agency news
GettyJacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. is set to hit the open market in NFL free agency.
Etienne is a three-time 1,000-yard rusher who has also been a dynamic pass-catcher out of the backfield. Some might say this gives him more value than a player like Walker, who does far less in the passing game.
And yet, it feels like Etienne is flying a bit under the radar compared to fellow free agents like Walker and franchise-tagged RB Breece Hall.
Etienne burst onto the NFL scene as a rookie. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry for the Jaguars, with 1,125 yards and 5 touchdowns, not to mention 35 catches for 316 yards.
The rushing efficiency took a step back in 2023 and 2024, at 3.8 yards per carry in 2023 and 3.7 yards per carry in 2024. Jacksonville also cut his touches dramatically in 2024, leading some to believe Etienne was no longer an RB1.
Last year, Etienne enjoyed a major bounce-back campaign under new head coach Liam Coen.
He rushed for 1,107 yards — his best total since his rookie season — and 7 touchdowns. More importantly, Etienne’s yards per carry clip had risen to 4.3 yards per carry.
Etienne also added 292 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in the passing game.
That rebound has the former Jaguars first-rounder poised to land his next payday and lead role in NFL free agency.
Where Might Chiefs Pivot If the Broncos Land Etienne?
If the Broncos, or another franchise, steal Etienne and Walker from the Chiefs, it’s fair to question where they go at running back.
The free agency class down-tiers a bit after that group, which included Hall and Javonte Williams before they were secured by their current teams.
Next behind Etienne seems to be Rico Dowdle, according to most reporting.
Fowler noted that “power back Rico Dowdle has been linked to the [Washington] Commanders by some people around the league,” within his March 8 article.
Free agents Brian Robinson Jr., Rachaad White, Tyler Allgeier, J.K. Dobbins, and recently cut veterans Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon would likely fill out the next tier of potential RB1s, alongside Dowdle.
It remains to be seen which options the Chiefs prefer behind Etienne and Walker. Most reporting over the past month or two has connected KC to the top of the market, meaning those two and Hall.
However, it’s possible that the Chiefs end up with a second-tier RB or two as they turn their attention toward the 2026 NFL Draft.