3 Free Agent RBs the Chiefs Could Still Sign

One of the few uncertainties about the Chiefs' roster for the 2024-25 season is who will serve as the third running back. Jerick McKinnon is still a free agent and Kansas City hasn't indicated what player will take over his role, if he stays unsigned.

Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are the presumptive top two on the depth chart, but there's a jumbled mess of names after that. La'Mical Perine was released, though Deneric Prince, Keaontay Ingram, undrafted rookies Emani Bailey and Carson Steele, and even Louis Rees-Zammit all remain.

If none of those players seize the job, there are still a few free agent backs who could provide some depth, but that market is dwindling. Let's take a look at three options who could be a fit for the Chiefs.

3 Free Agent RBs the Chiefs Could Sign

1. Matt Breida

Just like Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida is an athletic, former Kyle Shanahan running back with pass-catching chops approaching 30 years old. He spent the last two seasons with the Giants and could enjoy a similar career resurgence that McKinnon did, though most likely not as effectively.

Breida averages 4.6 yards per carry and 7.8 yards per catch for his career. His best season came in 2018 with the 49ers when Breida amassed 965 yards from scrimmage in 14 games. He's probably slower now ran but a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine, so he's another speed demon that Andy Reid could get creative with.

I'd only be interested in signing Breida if the backs on the roster already don't cut it, though his dual-threat skillset is intriguing nonetheless.

He's only had 575 carries and 120 receptions in his career. We're not talking about a heavily-used and exhausted player. Similar to McKinnon, maybe Breida still has some juice left in the tank.

It'd at least be worth a workout to find out. If Brett Veach and Reid aren't happy with the players they've got, Breida makes sense. With OTAs under way, we'll have a clearer idea soon.

2. Eno Benjamin

I've been a fan of Eno Benjamin's since his days at Arizona State. He's bounced around the league since being a 2020 seventh-round pick by the Cardinals, though I like his all-around game and pass-catching prowess.

Benjamin caught 24 passes in 10 games for Arizona in 2022, averaging 7.7 yards per catch. With limited tread on his tires, I don't think we're terribly far removed from the player who compiled over 3,300 scrimmage yards and 30 TDs in his final two college seasons. As a third-stringer behind Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire, you could do a lot worse.

I don't know about you, but that looks like a fun Pacheco complement to me. While he's only had 142 career touches, it's notable that Benjamin has never fumbled at the NFL level. There doesn't seem to be a market for him right now, so Brett Veach could presumably get Benjamin at a low cost.

Benjamin's experience as a workhorse back in college should give the coaching staff confidence that he could handle the load if injuries struck. He wouldn't be a long-term starting option, but he's perfectly capable of starting in a pinch.

With experience fielding kicks as well, Benjamin could also serve a special teams role with the new kickoff rules. If the Chiefs decide to add someone, I'd be on board with the former Arizona State star.

3. Jerick McKinnon

I don't know if Jerick McKinnon has anything left in the tank after suffering through injuries last season. However, at a time in which Brett Veach has prioritized bringing a lot of players back, I don't mind re-signing McKinnon to most lie low until the playoffs.

If Mecole Hardman doesn't come back, Skyy Moore would be the most experienced wide receiver in this offense and he's only played for two years. McKinnon has three years with the team and is a proven, reliable target for Patrick Mahomes. He even made a critical catch late in the Super Bowl, so we know he's earned the trust of those around him.

He's 32 years old, but there's no denying the impact he can have on the team.

McKinnon has 16 TDs with the Chiefs and earned the chance to compete for a third straight Super Bowl. Especially with the uncertainty surrounding Rashee Rice, I'd like to see familiar faces back catching passes. This is too important of a season to risk things, and McKinnon wouldn't cost much to come back.

If it were up to me, I'd re-sign McKinnon and Hardman both just for the continuity. There have been no reports of any conversations between either player and the Chiefs, and undrafted rookie Emani Bailey profiles in a similar role to McKinnon. They're different players, but you could use them similarly.

It's possible the Chiefs don't have room for McKinnon. Either way, they do have options if they decide to add a running back in free agency.

More Kansas City Chiefs News: