As the 2025 NFL season concludes, the Kansas City Chiefs find themselves at a pivotal moment with pressing choices to make for the upcoming year. Following an underwhelming campaign marked by injury setbacks to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and underperformance in key offensive roles, the Chiefs must decide whether to pursue trades or rely on current personnel, particularly considering the approaching free agency of running backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco.
Chiefs’ Backfield Woes and Potential Trade Targets
The recent campaign exposed significant weaknesses in Kansas City’s running game, with a lack of reliable rushers to complement Mahomes’ playmaking abilities. Both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco nearing free agency magnify this issue. Analysts and insiders suggest that acquiring a seasoned running back through trade could provide much-needed stability and support.
One possible target discussed is Chicago Bears’ running back David Montgomery, whose style and production might fill the Chiefs’ backfield gaps effectively. Despite a diminished role behind Jahmyr Gibbs in the last season, Montgomery maintained a solid average of 4.5 yards per carry and offers a veteran presence at a reasonable cost. His physical running approach could serve as a like-for-like replacement for Kareem Hunt and bring toughness to the Kansas City ground attack.
“A Day 3 pick for David Montgomery would actually stabilize the backfield and provide a reasonable floor,”
noted Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine.
“Montgomery took a clear back seat to Jahmyr Gibbs this season and only had 158 carries. He was still effective at 4.5 yards per carry. His physical running style would make him an ideal Hunt replacement, and he would only cost the cash-strapped Chiefs $3.5 million if they trade for him. Kansas City needs a veteran back on the roster, and Montgomery needs the opportunity for a bigger role.”
Montgomery’s statistics over the past seven seasons include two 1,000-yard rushing campaigns and at least eight touchdowns in four separate years. His partnership with Jahmyr Gibbs formed one of the league’s more feared rushing duos, despite often being underappreciated in the media spotlight. Bringing that experience to Kansas City could ease the offensive burden on Patrick Mahomes while adding reliable short-yardage power.
The Chiefs’ disappointing 6-11 record was punctuated by a receiving corps that failed to reach 1,000 yards for any player. DeAndre “Hollywood” Brown led the group with only 587 yards, making improved running support all the more crucial for offensive balance.
Reporter Nick Roesch emphasized the potential value, saying a trade involving a fifth-round pick might be a worthy risk. While a draft pick is a valuable asset in rebuilding, the Chiefs’ projected acquisition of an additional fifth-round compensatory pick after Tershawn Wharton’s departure makes the trade more attainable without sacrificing future draft capital.
The Uncertain Future of Isiah Pacheco and Its Effect on the Chiefs
The situation surrounding running back Isiah Pacheco adds further complexity to the Chiefs’ offseason planning. At 26 years old and entering free agency, Pacheco’s tenure in Kansas City is far from certain. The team’s patience in awaiting a full recovery from multiple injuries appears to have reached a limit, as he never regained the explosive ability that once defined his playing style.
“The Chiefs waited patiently the last two seasons for Pacheco to show renewed burst after he sustained multiple injuries,”
wrote The Athletic’s Jesse Newell.
“Unfortunately for both parties, it never fully reappeared. He seems likely to sign elsewhere, with that team hoping the 26-year-old can see a career resurgence with better health luck.”
On the field, Pacheco’s numbers have declined steadily. His average of 3.9 yards per carry in 2025, combined with a career-low 4.1 yards per touch, paints a picture of a runner struggling to regain form. His production of just 462 yards on 118 rushing attempts with a single touchdown falls short of expectations from a player once seen as a critical spark at Arrowhead Stadium.
Advanced stats confirm the drop: Pacheco ranked 44th in success rate and 46th in explosive rush share among nearly 50 backs with significant carries. His minus-0.4 rush yards over expected per attempt further underscores his inefficiency. His market valuation is similarly murky, ranging from about $1.8 million to over $5 million annually depending on source, reflecting uncertainty on his potential role going forward.
With Pacheco’s future doubtful, the Chiefs face pressure to fill the ensuing void in their backfield and restore an offensive dynamic that fell flat last season.
Implications for the Chiefs Moving Forward
The Kansas City Chiefs’ need to address their running back position has become an urgent matter after a season of offensive struggles and injuries. The decision to pursue a trade for a player like David Montgomery could offer an immediate solution that balances veteran experience with affordable cost, especially with compensatory draft picks providing some maneuverability.
The approaching free agency of both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco puts additional pressure on general manager Brett Veach and the coaching staff to make strategic choices to protect and enhance Patrick Mahomes’ effectiveness on the field. Strengthening the running game will likely be key to reducing stress on Mahomes while opening up more balanced offensive options.
How Kansas City handles these roster challenges in the next offseason could significantly influence their prospects for a rebound campaign in 2026, determining if Mahomes receives the support needed to lead the franchise back to championship contention.
