Chiefs Predicted to Overhaul Backfield With 3,800-Yard RB

Chiefs Could Revive Backfield With Travis Etienne

Kay predicted the Chiefs would land Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, who bounced back from a string of injuries early in his NFL career to post three seasons of 1,000 yards or more.

“Etienne returned to form and put himself back on the map this past season,” Kay wrote. “Despite missing his entire rookie year with injury and suffering several ailments that limited him in 2024, the versatile, dynamic running back has been one of the most consistent performers in football over the past four years.”

Kay noted that the Chiefs have avoided making any drastic moves in their backfield in the past few seasons, but the inattentiveness caught up with them last season.

“Kansas City’s ground game completely stalled out in 2025 with both Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt averaging fewer than four yards per carry,” Kay wrote. “No Chiefs back eclipsed the 200-yard receiving mark, either, a concerning lack of production that contributed to the club’s first missed playoff berth in the Patrick Mahomes era.”

The Chiefs fell short of the playoffs — getting eliminated in early December — but the team set a high bar with three straight Super Bowl appearances and likely won’t accept another season without reaching the playoffs. That led Kay to suggest the team signs Etienne.

“With the superstar signal-caller now working his way back from a major knee injury, the Chiefs must bring in an upper-echelon back who can shoulder a large chunk of the offensive load in 2025,” Kay wrote. “Etienne fits the bill as a do-it-all playmaker who can give this flailing backfield a much-needed shot in the arm.”

Chiefs May Need to Address Another Key Position

One of the other aforementioned questions for the Chiefs is at tight end, where Travis Kelce has mulled over retirement but not yet announced his final decision. The Chiefs could prepare for Kelce’s departure, with analyst T.J. Randall of Pro Football Sports Network predicting the team will target Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers in the NFL Draft.

Randall suggested the Chiefs could land Stowers in the third round, adding another strong weapon for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“At 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, Eli Stowers is an exercise in receiver versus tight end classification, considering the chasm between his contributions in the passing game and running game,” Randall wrote. “The 2025 Mackey Award winner will bring his 1,700 career receiving yards to KC for an exciting Travis Kelce replacement when the time comes.”