The Kansas City Chiefs find themselves in the trade market searching for an answer in the backfield. With star wideout Rashee Rice returning to the lineup, it seems the Chiefs are a productive rusher away from being established as the AFC's biggest threat, and the Baltimore Ravens' implosion and the Buffalo Bills' suffering back-to-back losses add a sense of urgency to find a viable backfield upgrade.
The early RB woes are forcing fans to look back at the 2025 offseason and realize just what a frustration Elijah Mitchell has been. It is easy to look at the $2-3 million deals handed to Javonte Williams and Rico Dowdle and wonder what might've been, especially following their early-season success.
Chiefs Failed Playmaker Elijah Mitchell Deserves Blame for Backfield Woes
If the Chiefs had shopped in a different direction, they would find the rushing attack in a far better position. Mitchell simply hasn't managed to make the active roster, pointing to just what an epic failure the move has proven to be. Meanwhile, Dowdle and Williams are enjoying the following performances:
Player | Games Played | Carries | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Javonte Williams | 6 | 92 | 476 | 5 | 22 | 83 | 1 |
Rico Dowdle | 6 | 81 | 472 | 2 | 12 | 104 | 1 |
For comparison, Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have combined for just 401 rushing yards and three TDs (all Hunt) on 100 carries.
Heading into the 2025 season, rookie Brashard Smith was a wildcard who couldn't be counted on for any meaningful production, while Hunt was meant only to be a short-yardage weapon. Throw in Pacheco's recent injury history, and it made sense why the Chiefs kept Mitchell around.
Mitchell has previously been this rushing for nearly 1,000 yards in the 2021 season with the San Francisco 49ers. The following season would be productive as well, before injuries marred the veteran's career and ended his time with the franchise. Kansas City signed Mitchell with the hope that the clock could be turned back to the previous version of the back.
Instead, Mitchell has been unable to make the active roster, beaten out by an aging Hunt and unproven Smith. This speaks to what a failure the move has been and frustration from fans wondering what could've been if the Chiefs had signed a different bargain back.
When looking for pieces to blame for Kansas City's current RB issues, you must include Mitchell near the top of the list. The offseason addition has failed and isn't projected to have any type of impact moving forward. The fact that he can't even manage to make the active roster once this season is incredibly telling.
Mitchell continuing to be a healthy scratch points to the need to make a move and why he deserves blame for how the season has played out at the position.