The Kansas City Chiefs made a few significant roster moves on the offensive side of the football ahead of their Week 15 game against the Tennessee Titans, including parting ways with one of their running backs.
Kansas City took to social media on Saturday, December 20 and announced its decision to waive Elijah Mitchell, send offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor to IR and sign quarterback Chris Oladokun to the active roster to serve as the backup behind Gardner Minshew.
“We have signed Practice Squad players T Chukwuebuka Godrick, QB Chris Oladokun and RB Dameon Pierce to active roster contracts,” the Chiefs posted to their official X account. “We have activated Practice Squad players LB Cole Christiansen and T Matt Waletzko via Standard Elevation. We have placed LB Leo Chenal and T Jawaan Taylor on Reserve/Injured. We have waived RB Elijah Mitchell.”
Mitchell inked a one-year deal with the Chiefs ahead of this season worth $2.5 million. He has earned a total of just under $6 million over his five-year professional career.
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The 27-year-old back joined the NFL in 2021 as a sixth-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers (No. 194 overall). He spent four seasons there, though missed the entirety of the 2024 campaign due to a severe hamstring tear he sustained during training camp.
Mitchell made just one regular season appearance for Kansas City this season. He did not log a carry and was targeted only once in the pass game, but failed to make the catch.
Over his first three seasons with the 49ers, Mitchell tallied 1,523 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 28 passes for 158 yards and one score. But Mitchell was unable to channel the promise he showed early in his career during his sole campaign with the Chiefs.
Kansas City is likely to remake the offensive backfield this offseason, as the Chiefs’ run game was well below average in 2025 (21st in the NFL). Former seventh-round pick Isiah Pacheco and veteran Kareem Hunt are also both headed for free agency in March.
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