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Kansas City Chiefs: What is going on at the running back position

By Leigh Oleszczak

GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: Running back Kerwynn Williams #33 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes the football against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Jaguars 27-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 26: Running back Kerwynn Williams #33 of the Arizona Cardinals rushes the football against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Jaguars 27-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Kansas City Chiefs added yet another running back to their ranks over the weekend and it begs the question… What exactly is the plan at running back for the Chiefs?

The Kansas City Chiefs struck gold with Kareem Hunt last year, as the rookie sensation would rush for 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns and also haul in 53 receptions for 455 yards and three touchdowns. With that type of production, one would think running back wouldn’t be as big of a priority for the Chiefs this offseason, but clearly that’s not the thought process.

The Chiefs already had Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West, and Akeem Hunt to backup Kareem Hunt, but this offseason they’ve added Damien Williams and recently Kerwyn Williams. The signing of Damien Williams wasn’t too crazy, but now bringing in Kerwyn Williams? Really?

Maybe the Chiefs aren’t confident in Ware’s recovery and don’t plan to keep him around in 2018. That’s not a crazy thought, but this was a guy who rushed for 921 yards in 2016 and would have been the starter a year ago were it not for his torn ACL last summer.

The only way the Chiefs should part ways with Ware is if he won’t be able to take the field when the 2018 season begins. By that point, it’d have been over a year since his injury, so one would think he’d be okay, but everyone rehabs differently.

As for Charcandrick West, he had his day in the sun in the 2015 season, but since then has disappointed. West first turned heads when he and Ware filled in for an injured Jamaal Charles in 2015, and heavily contributed to that ten-game winning streak the Chiefs would go on to close out the 2015 regular season.

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Since then, however, West hasn’t done much of anything. He rushed for less than 100 yards last season and wasn’t healthy very often. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs opted to move on from him.

Bringing in the two Williamses makes sense if the Chiefs are indeed going to part ways with Ware and West. If Ware isn’t healthy enough and West hasn’t been very effective, why stick with them as the backups to Kareem Hunt?

Damien Williams started four games last year and appeared in 11 for the Dolphins and shared time in the backfield after Jay Ajayi was traded to the Eagles. He rushed for just 181 yards and had 155 receiving yards with a touchdown through the air.

Kerwynn Williams helped the Cardinals in David Johnson‘s absence, rushing fo 426 yards and a touchdown. He wasn’t the flashiest player in the world, but he and Damien Williams will make decent backup and third string options.

Spencer Ware would be my choice to have as the backup in Kansas City, but if the Chiefs are bringing all of these running backs in, then it makes me think Ware isn’t good to go. As for West, he hasn’t been impressing anyone since being given that extension at the end of the 2015 season, so it’s time to move on.

If Damien Williams and Kerwynn Williams end up being the second and third string back, then so be it. At least the Chiefs are being proactive and thinking about their running back situation now. This is much better than cutting and re-signing C.J. Spiller every other day.

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