Former Chiefs running back with 963 rushing yards quickly joins an AFC playoff contender after being unexpectedly cut by Kansas City.

The Kansas City Chiefs officially ended their experiment with running back Elijah Mitchell ahead of the NFL’s Week 16 Sunday slate, and it didn’t take long for him to land elsewhere. According to insider Tom Pelissero, the New England Patriots signed Mitchell to their practice squad on December 23.

“The Patriots signed veteran RB Elijah Mitchell to the practice squad,” Pelissero reported. With that move, the door is effectively closed on any potential reunion between Mitchell and Kansas City later this season.

The signing comes amid a noticeable shift in the AFC landscape. While perennial contenders such as the Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals have struggled to find consistency in 2025, New England has surged into the conference’s top tier under a new head coach and a promising young quarterback.

Mitchell’s move to the Patriots reflects a familiar NFL pattern. When Kansas City moves on from veterans who fail to meet expectations, those players often seek opportunities with teams still firmly in the Super Bowl hunt. New England, at this point in the season, fits that description.

From the beginning, the Mitchell signing never truly made sense for the Chiefs. Kansas City’s disappointing 2025 campaign is not the result of bad luck, but rather a series of questionable roster decisions. Among the most glaring issues was a running back room in desperate need of reinforcement.

Entering an NFL Draft loaded with running back talent, many expected general manager Brett Veach to select a difference-maker in the second or third round. The Chiefs also had opportunities to sign proven veterans such as Javonte Williams or JK Dobbins for modest contracts. Instead, Kansas City re-signed Kareem Hunt, added Mitchell, and spent a seventh-round pick on pass-catching back Brashard Smith.

The results were underwhelming across the board. Mitchell failed to show much explosiveness during the preseason and quickly fell out of favor once the regular season began. He was frequently listed as a healthy scratch and rarely factored into game plans.

In total, Mitchell played just seven offensive snaps for Kansas City before being released. He did not record a single carry or reception during his brief tenure with the team, cementing the signing as a clear failure.

Looking ahead, the Chiefs will have a chance to correct course in 2026. Both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are set to become free agents, making a full reset at the position increasingly likely. Kansas City will have options through the draft or the veteran market, but the lesson from the Mitchell experiment is clear.

If the Chiefs intend to reestablish themselves as championship contenders, upgrading the RB1 position is no longer optional. This time, there can be no hesitation.