The Kansas City Chiefs' running game has been a season-long issue. Isiah Pacheco hasn't lived up to the expectations, Kareem Hunt is an aging short-yardage specialist, rookie Brashard Smith hasn't been involved often, and Elijah Mitchell hasn't even been activated. Clearly, bringing back Clyde Edwards-Helaire didn't do much to help the team's case, either.
That's why watching the Chiefs low-ball the New York Jets ahead of the trade deadline when they could've easily landed Breece Hall was such a disappointment. But even though it looked like a huge mistake at the time, general manager Brett Veach might be able to right his wrong in the offseason.
Chiefs' Trade Deadline Mistake Might Work Out in the Long Run
Per SNY TV reporter Connor Hughes, the Chiefs didn't want to give up a third-round draft pick to land Hall. They offered a fourth-round selection at best, and the Jets turned that offer down because they would probably get a more valuable compensatory pick if Hall leaves in free agency.
Now, it's become painfully evident that the Chiefs need to bolster the running attack. They average 118.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 15th in the league, and don't have a single running back averaging more than 42.9 yards per game or 4.3 yards per carry. If the lackluster backfield ends up being Kansas City's downfall, fans will have every right to be upset about Beach's blunder.
On the other hand, not making the playoffs will give the Chiefs a much higher fourth-round pick compared to what it looked like pre-deadline.
That could help them either land an impact player in a trade to acquire someone who can help their woes for years to come, or they could use it to draft their running back of the future. Granted, we've seen other teams land talented RBs in the later rounds, such as the Chicago Bears with Kyle Monangai, who they took in the seventh round and is now up to 591 rushing yards and five touchdowns despite splitting duties with D'Andre Swift. Even the Chiefs did it when they first got Pacheco in Round 7 back in 2022.
This season has shown that this roster isn't where it was supposed to be anymore. Mahomes is still in his prime, but the defense has taken a big step back, and this team needs help all across the board. Having a higher-than-expected draft pick in April will go a long way in turning things around, especially if the Chiefs use their assets to improve their RB situation.
The Chiefs will always aim for the big prize, especially with the best quarterback in the game still there, and it's hard to find a silver lining after a tough season like this. But if that helps them land a Heisman trophy candidate like Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love (1,372 yards, 18 touchdowns this season) in the opening round or someone like Penn State's Kaytron Allen (1,303 yards, 15 TDs) later in the draft, striking out with the Jets won't look so bad after all.