The Kansas City Chiefs were one of the biggest disappointments in the 2025 NFL season. The AFC West team posted a 6-11 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2014. To make things worse, they lost starting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew to injuries.

Kansas City enters the offseason with multiple questions to answer. One of the main issues they will have to address includes the running game. They ranked 25th in total rushing yards (1,812), 22nd in yards per carry (4.2), last in 20-plus yard carries (three) and last in 40-plus yard carries (tied with four other teams with zero).

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They could land a solid running back in the 2026 NFL free agency. Matt Bowen of ESPN named them the best fit for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Etienne Jr.

“Etienne has the play speed to upgrade a Chiefs run game that ranked 25th last season (106.6 yards per game),” Bowen wrote on Tuesday. “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.”

Dec 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Chiefs’ offense looked stagnant last season. They moved on from Matt Nagy and brought back Eric Bieniemy. That could be the start of the offense’s resurgence, and having a player like Etienne would maximize their chances.

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Travis Etienne bounced back after a discreet 2024 season

Nov 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) rushes during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After entering the 2025 NFL season seemingly in danger of losing his starting spot to Tank Bigsby, Travis Etienne recovered his level. He helped the Jaguars post a 13-4 record, win the AFC South division and secure the No. 3 seed in the conference. They couldn’t move past the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round, but made it clear they will be back next year.

Etienne played 17 games, carrying the ball 260 times for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns. He had posted 150 carries for 558 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.

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