The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in an unfamiliar and challenging position as they approach the 2026 NFL offseason. Following a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs, the team now holds an early first-round pick in the upcoming draft. This presents both a significant opportunity and a complex problem for a franchise accustomed to selecting much later in the draft order due to their past successes.
The Glaring Weakness: Kansas City's Stagnant Ground Attack
A critical area demanding immediate attention is the Chiefs' consistently underwhelming running game. The team has not produced a 1,000-yard rusher since the 2017 season, when Kareem Hunt burst onto the scene. In the years since, the ground offense has been marked by inconsistency and a lack of explosive power.
In 2025, Kareem Hunt once again led the team in rushing yards, but his total barely surpassed 600 yards. Isiah Pacheco showed flashes of potential but was hampered by injuries and an inability to find a consistent rhythm throughout the season.
While the passing game, led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has historically carried the offensive load, the absence of a balanced attack has become increasingly detrimental. Opposing defenses have been able to focus more on defending the pass, knowing the Chiefs are unlikely to establish a dominant ground presence.
Draft Projections Point to a Running Back Revival
This glaring need has fueled early speculation connecting Kansas City to top running back prospects. In his initial 2026 mock draft, respected analyst Bucky Brooks projected the Chiefs would select Jeremiyah Love from the University of Notre Dame.
Love is widely regarded as the premier running back in this draft class, a player capable of making an instant impact. He comes off a dominant 2025 collegiate season where he rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored an impressive 18 touchdowns. His performance earned him third-place in Heisman Trophy voting and first-team All-American honors.
What makes Jeremiyah Love particularly appealing for the Chiefs is his well-rounded skill set. He is not just a pure runner; Love excels as a receiver out of the backfield, is a capable blocker in pass protection, and possesses the durability to handle a heavy workload—traits highly valued by the Kansas City coaching staff.
Why the Timing is Right for a Major Move
Some fans and analysts might question the wisdom of using a high-value draft pick on a running back. However, the Chiefs' current circumstances may leave them with little choice. Both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco are approaching the end of their current contracts, and the depth chart behind them remains worryingly thin.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the return of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. Bieniemy was a key part of the coaching staff during the 2017 season, the last time Kansas City boasted a 1,000-yard rusher. While his offensive schemes have traditionally emphasized the passing game, there is a renewed organizational focus on developing effective run schemes for the 2026 season.
Establishing a reliable and potent ground game would serve a dual purpose. It would reintroduce crucial balance to the offense and significantly reduce the pressure on Patrick Mahomes, allowing the unit to remain efficient without relying on his extraordinary playmaking ability on every single snap.
A Pivotal Decision for Reid and the Front Office
Head coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs' front office now face a pivotal decision on how to best utilize their rare early draft position. Investing their top pick in a proven, high-upside talent like Jeremiyah Love to address the run game could be the key to restoring offensive balance and setting a positive tone for a bounce-back season in 2026.
The choice they make will signal their strategy for returning to championship contention and could define the franchise's trajectory for years to come.
