One Key Move Each AFC Team Should Make: Chiefs Need a Backfield Reset
Kansas City Chiefs (2025 record: 6-11)
Offseason Priority: Rebuild the Running Back Room
Let’s not sugarcoat it - the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 season was a far cry from the championship-caliber standard they’ve set over the past decade. A 6-11 finish speaks volumes, and while injuries and roster turnover played their part, one glaring issue stood out: the run game just never got going.
With both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco heading into free agency, Kansas City’s running back depth chart is down to just Brashard Smith. That’s a major concern for an offense that desperately needs more balance - especially with Patrick Mahomes coming off a knee injury. Whether or not the Chiefs re-sign Hunt or Pacheco, it’s clear they need fresh legs and fresh ideas in the backfield.
The numbers back it up. Kansas City averaged just 2.7 yards after contact per carry in 2025 - tied for the worst mark in the league, per Next Gen Stats.
And when it came to explosive plays, the Chiefs were nearly nonexistent on the ground, logging just six runs of 10+ yards over expected - dead last in the NFL, tied with the Raiders. That’s not the kind of production you want from a team built around a generational quarterback.
What the Chiefs need is a dynamic, multi-dimensional back - someone who can break tackles, hit the second level, and make an impact in the passing game. Think of the kind of player who forces defensive coordinators to adjust their game plan. That kind of presence would go a long way in taking pressure off Mahomes and giving this offense the versatility it sorely lacked last season.
What Not to Fix: Linebacker Isn’t the Problem
As tempting as it might be to look at linebacker with Leo Chenal hitting free agency and Drue Tranquill potentially becoming a cap casualty, Kansas City should hold the line here - literally. They’ve already invested heavily at the position, re-signing Nick Bolton to a three-year, $45 million deal last offseason, including $30 million guaranteed. His $19.2 million cap hit in 2026 is hefty, but Bolton remains a cornerstone of this defense.
Even if Chenal and Tranquill move on, the Chiefs have an intriguing young option in Jeffrey Bassa, a fifth-round pick from the 2025 draft. He’s shown flashes of athleticism and upside, and pairing him with Bolton could give the Chiefs a solid, cost-effective duo without needing to dip into free agency for an aging or overpriced veteran.
Deron Cherry on What Went Wrong - and What Needs to Change
Chiefs legend Deron Cherry didn’t mince words when reflecting on the team’s disappointing season. He pointed to the injuries - particularly along the offensive line and in the secondary - as a major factor in the team’s struggles.
“You’re working with new players in the secondary and at other positions; it’s difficult,” Cherry said. “That’s what I think this team has to adjust to going forward - getting those pieces back in play.”
Cherry also highlighted the financial balancing act Kansas City faces. With Mahomes and other stars commanding top-tier salaries, the Chiefs have less flexibility to chase big names in free agency.
“Hopefully they can get back to that point, get that incentive back with these players, and get that hunger back into the team,” he added. It’s a fair point - the Chiefs have been here before, navigating cap limitations while still building a contender.
But it’s going to take smart drafting, savvy signings, and a little bit of that old Kansas City magic.
Around the League: Nagy Heads to New York, NFLPA Pushes Back on 18th Game
Former Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has landed in New York as the Giants’ new OC, and his challenge is clear: get the most out of promising young quarterback Jaxson Dart. The concern?
We’ve seen this movie before. Back in Chicago, Nagy struggled to fully unlock Justin Fields’ mobility, often leaving him in the pocket behind a shaky offensive line instead of designing plays that moved the launch point.
Dart brings a similar dual-threat profile, and the Giants will need Nagy to evolve his approach. The weapons around Dart aren’t exactly elite, either.
Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy offer a solid one-two punch in the backfield, but outside of Malik Nabers, the pass-catching group is thin. Wan’Dale Robinson is set to hit free agency, Darius Slayton had one of the highest drop rates in the league, and tight end Theo Johnson wasn’t far behind.
Back in Kansas City, it’ll be interesting to see if Nagy tries to bring any of his old staff with him. Andy Heck is reportedly staying put, but names like Joe Bleymaier and David Girardi - key figures in the Chiefs’ offensive brain trust - could be on the move.
Bleymaier has been with the team since 2016 and has worn a lot of hats, including wide receivers coach and pass-game coordinator. Girardi, meanwhile, has been Mahomes’ quarterbacks coach since 2023 and was part of the staff during the early days of Eric Bieniemy’s first run as OC.
NFLPA Stands Firm Against 18-Game Season
The players aren’t backing down on the league’s push for an 18-game regular season. At the NFLPA’s annual Super Bowl week press conference, interim executive director David White made it clear: “Our members have no appetite for a regular-season 18th game.” The union is putting health and safety front and center, and any move toward a longer season will have to go through the negotiation table.
While Roger Goodell played it cool, calling the 18th game “not a given,” Robert Kraft sounded a lot more confident in a recent radio appearance. But for now, nothing’s changing without player approval - and the players are drawing a hard line.
Brady on Super Bowl LX: No Favorites, Just Football
Tom Brady may be the most decorated Patriot of all time, but when it comes to Super Bowl LX, he’s staying neutral. “I don’t have a dog in the fight,” Brady said on his *Let’s Go!
- podcast. “May the best team win.”
That said, he gave a nod to the new era in New England under Mike Vrabel, calling it an exciting time and applauding the team’s return to relevance after a brief lull.
Bottom Line for the Chiefs
The 2026 offseason is going to be a pivotal one for Kansas City. The Mahomes window is still wide open, but the roster needs some fine-tuning - and it starts with the ground game.
Fixing the run game doesn’t just help Mahomes; it helps the entire offense find its rhythm again. Combine that with smart cap management and internal development, and the Chiefs can get right back to where they belong: contending.