Chiefs' revamped backfield could finally restore the explosive plays that have been missing

To describe the Kansas City Chiefs' running game over the past two years would be to describe the depths of hell. Okay, maybe that's an overreaction, but the inability of the Chiefs' backfield to create any meaningful impact on games has been shocking to another level.

But all that is about to change. At least, hopefully. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt departed in free agency, the former going to the Detroit Lions on a one-year deal and the latter remaining unsigned. The only back with any chance of making the 53-man roster from last season is second-year man Brashard Smith, who has been overtaken on the depth chart by a trio of backfield signings by Brett Veach.

Kenneth Walker was one of the Chiefs' first additions just minutes into free agency, signing a three-year, roughly $43 million deal. Then the Chiefs brought in a quality career backup in Emari Demercado and drafted Nebraska's Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Rest easy, Chiefs fans; Kenneth Walker and Emari Demercado are worlds ahead of anything the previous KC RBs have offered

To give some context as to how poor KC's run game has been, Warren Sharp of SharpFootballAnalysis made it clear, giving insight into Pacheco's inability to create any explosive plays in 2025.

Compare those putrid numbers to those of the newly signed Walker, who had 33 explosive runs (10-plus yards) last year, which put him at an impressive 14.9%. His longest rush of the year went for 55 yards instead of the 16 Pacheco offered. Walker also posted a career-high 4.6 yards per carry, over 1,300 yards from scrimmage, and 61 forced missed tackles, ranking fifth in the league.

Looking even further into Demercado's stats, he could be one of the more underrated additions to the Chiefs. His longest rush last year was 71 yards, and even if you take that one carry away, he averaged 5.6 YPC on 43 attempts. He posted an explosive run rate of a ridiculously good 20.5% and is an above-average pass-protector.

Now add a guy in Emmett Johnson, who has impressed in training camp thus far, giving the Chiefs a seriously dangerous backfield that takes a heavy burden off of Mahomes to carry the entire offense on his back. Something that Mahomes definitely seems more excited about than anybody for.

For all the talk that is going on amongst Chiefs Kingdom about the team seeming basically reluctant to sign a reliable, veteran receiver, and rightfully so, they need one. It might just be clear as day that they are banking on Andy Reid to alter his scheme into more of a pass-run balance, which will open up things in the passing game and allow for Mahomes to be much more efficient and not have to use his legs as much.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow