The Kansas City Chiefs will likely make their backfield a priority when free agency begins next week. Unfortunately, their running back options seem to be getting more limited with each passing day.
Watching the New York Jets franchise-tag Breece Hall wasn't a surprise, but it shows how few options remain after the Detroit Lions traded David Montgomery, and Javonte Williams signed an extension with the Dallas Cowboys. The dwindling options could force the Chiefs to compete with other teams for RBs next week, including the rival Denver Broncos, per Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.
"(Breece Hall's) tag also helps to further define the running back market. It leaves Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III alone as the top back on the market, and Walker will probably wind up getting somewhere between $12 million and $16 million per season, from a team like the Seahawks, Broncos or Chiefs. It also makes Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. the clear-cut No. 2 guy on the market, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Etienne pulls down $10 million per year."Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
The Broncos are expected to go big-game hunting in the RB market after reaching the AFC Championship Game. For the Chiefs, this is far from ideal, as they're sitting $6.9 million over the salary cap, per OverTheCap, while the Broncos have over $25.2 million to spare.
Broncos Could Be Chiefs' Biggest Competition in RB Market
Walker not only was amazing in the Super Bowl but had a great regular season, rushing for 1,027 yards and averaging 4.6 yards per carry. No question, if there is a top RB target in free agency, it's probably him, which could lead the Chiefs into a bidding war.
Of course, the Broncos entering the mix would only complicate things, potentially driving Walker's price above general manager Brett Veach's comfort zone.
The Chiefs would be paying to keep the defending AFC West Champions from landing Walker, who would be difficult to stop twice a year. Kansas City held Denver to a total of 187 rushing yards in two regular-season meetings in 2025, and it'll be hard for history to be repeated if the reigning Super Bowl MVP ends up in the Mile High City.
With this in mind, fans shouldn't be surprised if the Chiefs are willing to pay what it takes to land Walker, even if it requires cap creativity and paying slightly above market value at the position.
The Chiefs' offense was hampered by an ineffective backfield last season, highlighting the need for a true 1,000-yard rusher. Considering how Walker had only 46 fewer rushing yards than Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt had combined, overpaying for someone like Walker and Etienne might be worth it in the long run.
RB options are quickly dwindling, and the top names won't be available forever once the market opens next week, especially as the buzz grows louder. That's why the Chiefs must do whatever it takes to sell the fact that moving to Kansas City would benefit the likes of Walker and Etienne more than a trip to Denver.