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The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to address their struggling backfield this offseason, but one potential target may be coming off the table.
The Chiefs failed to get consistent production from their running backs last season, which allowed opposing defenses to put increasing pressure on quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The problems compounded as the Chiefs failed to make the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade, leading many insiders to predict that running back would be a priority for the team in the offseason.
The Chiefs may have one fewer target as free agency approaches, with one of the top backs now not expected to hit the open market.
Chiefs Lose Out on Breece Hall
The Chiefs were named a top potential landing spot for Breece Hall, the versatile New York Jets running back who is set to become an unrestricted free agent. But Jets general manager Darren Mougey said the team won’t let Hall leave the building, saying they will use the franchise tag if needed.
“Ideally, we’d find a way to get a deal done and keep Breece around,” Mougey told reporters at the combine on Tuesday, via ESPN. “I’ve said that for the past year since I got here. Breece is a good player, and we want to find a way to keep him around.
“We’ve been going through that process and are still doing so. We have a week to find out, if we can’t get to an agreement, which way we’ll go with the tag.”
Reporter Jared Feinberg of SI.com identified Hall as the top free agent option for the Chiefs, noting that he had the potential to bloom in Kansas City.
“Hall has the obvious talent to be one of the best players at his position in the right system,” Feinberg wrote. “Injuries or the lack of consistency within the Jets’ offense have hurt his potential, and there is a real chance their best player could be looking for a new home in 2026. Hall likely wants to see wins at a high rate, and the Chiefs would provide that in theory, giving their offense and Patrick Mahomes an outstanding runner, who would quickly become a top playmaker on the roster.”
Hall was projected to sign a $40 million contract, which would have been a significant commitment for the Chiefs but not out of the realm of possibility after some cap-cutting moves, which included a contract restructure for Mahomes.
Another Option for the Chiefs
The Chiefs could still have some other targets to boost their backfield, including Jacksonville Jaguars back Travis Etienne. ESPN’s Matt Bowen predicted he would end up in Kansas City.
“Etienne has the play speed to upgrade a Chiefs run game that ranked 25th last season (106.6 yards per game),” Bowen wrote. “And with his dual-threat ability as a pass catcher, Etienne would be schemed on screens and backfield releases in coach Andy Reid’s system. This is a move to add more juice and big-play ability to the Kansas City offense. Etienne’s 26 rushes of 10 or more yards with Jacksonville tied for 12th in the NFL last season.”
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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