The Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield has felt unsettled for months, with questions about personnel and durability looming over a franchise that just endured its first losing season in over a decade.
Kansas City’s leading rusher in 2025 was veteran Kareem Hunt, who managed 611 yards and eight touchdowns on 163 carries (3.7 yards per attempt). Isiah Pacheco followed with 462 yards and one score on 118 carries (3.9 per carry).
With both backs set to hit free agency, and the team’s next leading rusher being quarterback Patrick Mahomes (422 yards), the lack of a true bellcow has become glaring, especially after a disappointing 6–11 season.
That urgency only intensifies with Mahomes expected to miss most of the 2026 season while recovering from a torn ACL and LCL.
Against that backdrop, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reported Saturday that he’s hearing “legitimate interest” from Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne in coming to Kansas City.
Etienne is set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11.
More news: AJ Brown’s Mike Vrabel Comments Fuel Patriots Trade Rumors
Etienne enters free agency coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career. In 2025, he rushed for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns on 260 carries (4.3 yards per attempt), adding 292 receiving yards and a career-high six touchdown catches on 36 receptions.
Those numbers positioned him among the league’s most productive and explosive runners and reinforced his value as a true three-down back after injury setbacks earlier in his NFL career.
More news: Team USA Makes Winter Olympics History after Saturday’s Gold Medal Win
More news: Charles Barkley Takes Shot at Lakers, Draws Strong Response from Austin Reaves
However, with Etienne set to become an unrestricted free agent on March 11, the negotiation window is tight. If Kansas City moves aggressively, the front office would need to weigh a multi-year investment against other priorities like reinforcing the offensive line, adding defensive playmakers, and potentially re-signing their own backs.
There’s also a significant ripple effect. If the Chiefs land Etienne, they could pivot away from using the No. 9 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on a running back, a direction many projected, given the presence of former Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love, who is widely viewed as a top-10 prospect.
Read the full article here
