The Kansas City Chiefs are wasting no time reshaping their coaching staff this offseason, and one familiar face could be making his way back to Arrowhead.
According to reports, the Chiefs have requested permission to interview Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough - a name that should ring a bell for Kansas City fans. McCullough spent three seasons with the Chiefs from 2018 to 2020, working under then-offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
During that stretch, the Chiefs’ ground game quietly became one of the league’s most efficient units, ranking sixth in yards per carry in 2018. That kind of production is exactly what Kansas City is looking to recapture after a season where the run game never quite found its rhythm.
McCullough’s résumé speaks for itself. A former CFL and NFL running back, he's carved out a strong reputation as a developer of talent at both the college and pro levels.
Just this past season, he played a key role in the emergence of Raiders rookie Ashton Jeanty, helping the young back make an immediate impact. That kind of developmental success aligns perfectly with what the Chiefs are aiming for - especially with their current backfield mix and an eye toward the future.
There’s also a potential long-term angle here. McCullough has a close working relationship with Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman Trophy finalist and one of the top running back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Chiefs, who hold a first-round pick, have been linked to Love in several early mock drafts. While nothing is set in stone, the idea of pairing a coach who knows Love’s game inside and out with a front office that may be eyeing him as a future weapon is certainly intriguing.
Bringing McCullough back wouldn’t just be about nostalgia - it would be a calculated move to reestablish a physical, efficient run game that complements Patrick Mahomes and the high-flying Chiefs offense. With questions surrounding the offensive identity heading into next season, this potential hire could be a key piece in Kansas City’s plan to stay ahead of the curve.
The Chiefs are clearly looking to reload, not rebuild - and if McCullough returns, it could be a quiet but significant win for a franchise that’s always thinking two steps ahead.