The Kansas City Chiefs had their worst season under Patrick Mahomes in 2025, finishing the season with a 6-11 record and no playoff berth. The down year seems to have only motivated the organization to get back to championship caliber football as they have had a busy off-season. Today, it was announced that yet another player has joined the team.
Today, it was announced that the team has made a notable depth addition to their revamped running back room, signing former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports including NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, and sources like Pro Football Rumors.
Kansas City Chiefs
Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks to the huddle from the sideline during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Why the Chiefs Made This Move
This signing comes as the team continues reshaping the backfield following the high-profile addition of Kenneth Walker III as the primary bell-cow back in free agency. With Isiah Pacheco now in Detroit backing up Jahmyr Gibbs, and Kareem Hunt still unsigned, Demercado provides versatile depth and competition—particularly alongside emerging options like Brashard Smith.
This low-risk move (likely at or near the veteran minimum, with terms undisclosed) adds insurance against injuries, special teams value, and a player with untapped upside in Andy Reid’s scheme behind Patrick Mahomes.
Who Is Emari Demercado?
The 27-year-old Demercado, an undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2023, spent his first three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Over that span, he amassed over 1,100 total yards and 4 touchdowns, showing flashes as both a rusher and a capable pass-catching threat out of the backfield.
In 2025 specifically, he appeared in 13 games, rushing for 312 yards on 44 carries (impressive 7.1 yards per carry) and adding 101 receiving yards with 1 touchdown on 13 catches.
The Infamous Blunder and Bounce-Back
Demercado is perhaps best known for that infamous Week 5 fumble in 2025 against the Tennessee Titans—a would-be 72-yard touchdown run where he lost the ball just before the goal line, resulting in a touchback and an eventual Cardinals loss (from a 21-6 lead to a 22-21 defeat). The play even drew a $100K fine for then-coach Jonathan Gannon after an on-field reaction.
But he showed resilience afterward, posting strong outings like 79 rushing yards in Week 9 and 104 scrimmage yards in Week 10 before a high-ankle sprain sidelined him further.
Fit in Chiefs Kingdom
For the Chiefs, Demercado brings explosive potential on the ground and in the passing game—exactly the kind of complementary piece that could thrive in Kansas City’s offense. While he’s unlikely to see heavy snaps with Walker leading the charge, he offers a chance to tap into his skills away from past mishaps and contribute in a reloaded backfield.
This continues the Chiefs’ aggressive approach to rebuilding depth after last season’s occasional focus and execution issues. If Demercado stays healthy and locked in, he could emerge as a reliable rotational weapon.
Welcome to Chiefs Kingdom, Emari Demercado!
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