4 Former Chiefs Still Unemployed to Begin Season
By Joe Summers
2. Jerick McKinnon - RB
It appears that Jerick McKinnon's days in the NFL could be over. He's still a free agent after three successful seasons in Kansas City, which is a surprise given how effective he was in a third-down role.
While McKinnon's health is a concern, he's only 32 years old and a proven threat in the passing game. He blocks well and is a net positive in the locker room. That being said, he was limited to 12 games in 2023 and touched the ball only 36 times, so it's possible his body is wearing down after an injury-riddled career.
In theory, McKinnon would've been a great addition to this Chiefs team before Samaje Perine was signed. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire on the shelf, McKinnon could've represented the kind of lightning to Isiah Pacheco's thunder that Kansas City relied on in years past.
McKinnon is the exact kind of savvy veteran who could help many rosters across the league. It's unclear if he's attempting to join a team, but there's no shortage of organizations who would benefit from his presence.
If this is the end, McKinnon will go down as a Super Bowl champion and one of Patrick Mahomes' most trusted receivers over the last couple of seasons.