Chiefs Expected to Add ‘Complete Weapon,’ 1,300-Yard RB Amid Mahomes Injury

Kansas City, Missouri – January 6, 2026

For the first time in more than a decade, the Kansas City Chiefs enter an offseason not defined by dominance, but by difficult questions about the future. The 2025 season ended in disappointment: no playoff berth, just six wins — and most importantly, no Patrick Mahomes on the field when it mattered most.

Mahomes’ serious knee injury in Week 15 didn’t just derail the season; it forced the organization to confront a rare reality. The Chiefs need a plan to remain competitive while their franchise quarterback rehabs well into the 2026 season. Even in the most optimistic scenario, Mahomes is unlikely to be at full strength when next season begins.

According to multiple league sources and early 2026 mock drafts, Kansas City’s answer may come from the backfield.

Holding the No. 9 overall pick — their highest draft position since 2013 — the Chiefs are widely projected to target an elite college running back who rushed for more than 1,300 yards and is viewed as a true “complete weapon.” In a period when Mahomes cannot carry the offense alone, a running back capable of controlling tempo, reducing pressure on the quarterback, and generating explosive plays becomes a strategic priority.

Head coach Andy Reid avoided naming any individual, but when discussing the type of player Kansas City is seeking, his message was unmistakable:

“There are players an entire offense naturally revolves around, not because they demand it, but because their presence makes it unavoidable. We’ve felt that here before — when simply being on the field forces defenses to change everything they do. Our responsibility is to put that kind of player in position to make the whole team better.”

Around the league, many immediately drew comparisons to Jamaal Charles — the Chiefs legend whose ability to tilt defenses once allowed Kansas City to stay competitive even in its most challenging seasons. Not because of raw statistics alone, but because of how effortlessly he made the offense function.

The Chiefs are not alone in their interest. The New Orleans Saints, holding the No. 8 pick, are also believed to be monitoring the same prospect closely, a reality that could force Kansas City to consider trading up to secure their target.

For the Chiefs, this is not about replacing a legend. It is about buying time — and protecting a championship window — while Mahomes heals.

And if projections hold true, Kansas City’s adaptation may begin with a 1,300-yard running back built to carry far more than just the football.