KC Chiefs: Competition for starting running back job should be fun

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Damien Williams #26 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

If there was one weakness on the KC Chiefs’ explosive offense last year, it was that of the running back position. This wasn’t to say the position was weak, but it definitely could use improvement. Who will win the job this year?

The running game in 2019 wasn’t what the Kansas City Chiefs wanted it to be and there were times where it hurt them. The hope is that the run game improves for 2020 and the competition for who will be the starter in week one is going to be an exciting one.

First, let’s look at every running back listed on the Chiefs’ official roster:

Damien Williams was the starter throughout most of 2019 and while he rocked it during the Super Bowl (and certainly a case could have been made for him to win MVP in that game), he was mostly inconsistent and injured last season. That being said, Williams is the favorite to be RB1 when the 2020 season kicks off.

More. Why Clyde Edwards-Helaire Will Win RB1 in 2020. light

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Clyde Edwards-Helaire – the Chiefs’ first round pick this year. Some might have been upset that the team spent their first rounder on a running back, but they held the final pick in round one and running back was a strong need for them, so it didn’t bother me too much.

Edwards-Helaire is going to be a big part of the Chiefs offense in 2020, but he might not win the starting job right out of the gate. The lack of training camp and preseason due to COVID-19 makes it seem even more likely that Damien Williams will win the job because CEH hasn’t had a time to learn the offense yet and can’t show what he’s capable of at the professional level.

Those two are the only ones who will likely be THE starter barring injuries, of course. That being said, the other names on here have a chance to surprise some people. We saw Darrel Williams get quite a bit of playing time last year due to injuries and Darwin Thompson got to see the field as well.