Looking back at the Kansas City Chiefs' 2025 offseason, the biggest regret is easily refusing to shake things up at the running back position. Kareem Hunt is beloved and is still a short-yardage weapon. However, the aging back is best used in a depth role, not as a player you're using to establish the run. Isiah Pacheco has shown alarming signs that suggest last season's regression wasn't due to injury. This makes it clear that the Chiefs should've looked to add to the position and taken pressure off Patrick Mahomes.
The KC quarterback is by far the team's leading rusher, not by choice or design, but necessity. There isn't a hint of balance in this Chiefs offense, exposing an offensive line that is attempting to work new pieces in. Any margin for error is removed with pass rushers for both the Eagles and Chargers teeing off, understanding there is very little threat of overrunning the play, with neither back offering anything close to explosive production.
Chiefs Failed in the 2025 Offseason by Not Bringing in More Running Back Depth
While free agency was incredibly limited at the position, either Nick Chubb or Javonte Williams could've been signed at a bargain. Early returns have either veteran rusher as a clear upgrade over the current KC options. Taking this a step further, the Chiefs could've looked to land a better option in the trade market or drafted a piece earlier than rookie Brashard Smith. No matter what you believe the answer should've been, it is simply inarguable that some type of move needed to be made.
The most alarming piece of this is how awful Pacheco has looked in the first two weeks of the season. Prior to last year's injury, there was a sense of belief that the back would be a long-term option out of the backfield. While it is an admittedly small sample size, two weeks into the season has fans wondering if the back is even going to be earning snaps at the end of the year.
Pacheco has averaged 3.1 yards per carry for a total of 47 yards in the first two weeks of the season. If this level of struggle continues in New York, the front office is going to be forced to make a move. GM Brett Veach has shown a consistent willingness to take big swings or quickly pivot if a move isn't working.
The one notable exception to this has been at the receiver position, where injuries have kept Mahomes and the offense locked into a limited approach. One that has only further exposed the Chiefs' lack of a run game, something the franchise had every chance to fix in the 2025 offseason.
While stringing a few wins together will erase much of the angst running through the fan base, the importance of finding a better ground game cannot be stressed enough. It is a clear kryptonite that Kansas City knew was possible and did nothing to fix. A frustration that is continuing to build as Mahomes has been forced to become Kansas City's leading back.