For weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs' running game has been a talking point, and not for very good reasons. Patrick Mahomes is the team's leading rusher, and while he's certainly mobile, that's usually not a good sign.
While Andy Reid didn't sound too invested in potentially trading for a running back, the Chiefs have been tied to multiple players since the season started. Unfortunately, the Los Angeles Chargers might now become an obstacle for them.
Chargers Could Trade For a Running Back
The Chargers lost star rookie RB Omarion Hampton in the loss to the Washington Commanders. Per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, he could miss several weeks with a sprained ankle, and he was even spotted wearing a walking boot after the game.
Jim Harbaugh's team had already lost Najee Harris for the season, and with a running backs corps consisting of the likes of Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, and Amar Johnson, they will be wise to get on the phone to find more help for Justin Herbert.
That only spells trouble for a Chiefs team that could've already faced some steep competition for guys like De'Von Achane, D'Andre Swift, Breece Hall, or Alvin Kamara. The latter, per Mike Moratis of Sports Illustrated, should be a logical target for the Chargers:
"Kamara would be an instant upgrade over the healthy backs the Saints have now and would be a great complement to Hampton upon his return given his elite abilities as a pass-catcher," wrote Moratis.
Of course, the Chiefs could still have other suitable options to pursue if the Chargers lure Kamara to the AFC West. They will most likely give rookie seventh-round pick Brashard Smith more touches as the season goes by, but if he fails to impress, they will ultimately have to do something.
Isiah Pacheco doesn't look like the tackle-breaking, hard-running machine he once was, and he's up to just 127 rushing yards for the season, three shy of Mahomes and just eight ahead of Kareem Hunt. He's averaging four yards per carry, and he has yet to find paydirt through the first four weeks of the season. Hunt hasn't been much better, averaging just 3.2 yards per carry.
The Chiefs have three rushing touchdowns as a team, two of them coming from Mahomes. And with just 110.5 rushing yards per game (the tenth-fewest in the league), they will have to get creative to take some pressure off their quarterback's shoulders.