The Kansas City Chiefs' road to landing a top running back target in the 2026 offseason just grew a bit more difficult. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys and running back Javonte Williams agreed to terms on a 3-year, $24 million extension.
This is one top back taken off the market, making it all the more difficult for the Chiefs to draft or sign one of this year's top running backs. Williams made a level of sense for Kansas City coming off a season with 1,201 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
While the current Cowboy wasn't at the top of Kansas City's list, this does hurt other potential chances. It will make the competition for the upcoming free agents, Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, Rachaad White, and Travis Etienne, all the more difficult. These are the only four names scheduled to hit free agency that KC fans would feel great about if the franchise were able to land. Having a few potential targets with Williams off the board is clearly a bit of a concern.
Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, while Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both scheduled to hit free agency, making the urgency at the position clear. Kansas City needs a starting back that can step in and instantly shoulder a heavy load.
Chiefs Road to Landing Star Running Back Grows More Difficult After Latest Signing
Not only does this shift the perspective on free agency, but it could cause teams in need of running backs to become more aggressive early in the draft. While it clearly does make the road more difficult, in no way does it excuse the Chiefs from finding a way to get a deal done before the start of the 2026 season.
Far too often, Mahomes was counted on to create balance in the offense with his legs and took on far too much punishment. This would eventually lead to the quarterback suffering a season-ending injury and turning up the urgency on how quickly the Chiefs must find a reliable backfield option. The most sensible path is paying top-dollar for Hall, if he hits the open market, and bringing back Hunt as the second option and short-yardage weapon.
While Williams' signing increased the difficulty for KC, it didn't change the assignment. The Chiefs must end the 2026 offseason with one of the top free agent targets at the position rostered or opt to use the ninth overall pick to target Jeremiyah Love.
Kansas City owes this to Mahomes, who cannot be expected to put his body on the line with the same level of consistency coming off the first season-ending injury of his career. As frustrating as the signing might be, the Chiefs must remain focused, understanding the importance of taking pressure off the league's best quarterback.