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The latest Kansas City Chiefs trade rumors have general manager Brett Veach shopping wide receiver Richie James.
The Kansas City Chiefs need to address the running back position in a big way during the offseason.
Brashard Smith and ShunDerrick Powell, both of who are very unproven, are the only running backs the Chiefs have under contract for the 2026 season. Former starter Isiah Pacheco has failed to develop after a promising start early in his career. Veteran Kareem Hunt could be brought back into the fold, but he’s a short-yardage situational back at this stage of his career.
The Chiefs need a well-rounded workhorse back who can take pressure off of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the passing game. They could find that guy in the draft, but remember that coach Andy Reid typically brings young players along slowly in his offense. ESPN’s Matt Bowen recently linked a running back to Kansas City who would solidify the position and make an immediate impact.
Kansas City Chiefs Named Best Fit for RB Travis Etienne Jr.
Etienne was selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has now played out his rookie contract and is set to hit free agency in March. Here’s what Bowen had to say about Etienne potentially joining the Chiefs:
“Etienne has the play speed to upgrade a Chiefs run game that ranked 25th last season (106.6 yards per game). 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.”
Etienne is coming off arguably the best season of his career. He racked up 1,107 rushing yards on 260 carries, 292 receiving yards on 36 receptions, and 13 total touchdowns. It was the third time in the last four years that Etienne hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark. The Chiefs haven’t had a back gain 1,000 yards since Hunt ran for 1,327 yards as a rookie in 2017.
Travis Etienne Has Familiarity in Chiefs’ Offensive Scheme
GettyJacksonville Jaguars Running back Travis Etienne
Former Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson was Etienne’s coach from 2022-2024. Pederson runs a similar offensive system as his mentor Reid, who he both played and coached under for several years. Etienne posted a whopping 2,925 total yards in Pederson’s offense from 2022-2023.
Etienne is the ideal blend of being a veteran, but also still young (27 years old), and having experience in the offensive scheme that the Chiefs run. He is a threat both as a runner and receiver, and is a capable pass blocker. Etienne possesses a nice blend of 4.4 40-yard dash speed, power, and balance.
Pairing Etienne with Smith, who showed some promise as a rookie last season, would give Kansas City a nice one-two punch at running back. Adding Hunt back to the mix would r0und out the rushing attack nicely as he provides power in short-yardage and goal line situations. The free agent legal tampering period begins on Monday, March 9, and the official beginning of free agency starts on Wednesday, March 11.
Nick Roesch Nick Roesch covers the NFL for Heavy Sports, with a focus on the Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Chargers. He previously covered the Chiefs for USA TODAY Sports’ Chiefs Wire, and all 32 NFL teams for A to Z Sports. Roesch’s career in sports media spans 10 years. More about Nick Roesch
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