In the era of head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs fans have had the luxury of watching their team make a deep postseason run year after year. However, with this year’s regression on both sides of the ball, the Chiefs will be watching the playoffs unfold from their couch for the first time since 2014.
While failing to reach the postseason is disappointing and falls short of the organization’s standard, the early exit presents the Chiefs with the opportunity to identify their roster needs – one of which should be upgrading their backfield. With the Chiefs being an appealing destination, this should significantly improve their chances of signing disgruntled Carolina Panthers running back and impending free agent Rico Dowdle.
Early Exit Boosts Chiefs Chances to Sign Rico Dowdle
If it felt like the Chiefs got minimal production from their running backs this season, that’s because they did. Running backs Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco were given the bulk of the carries and, at best, were tolerable. The pair combined for 1,073 rushing yards on 281 attempts, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry.
Their inefficiency in the run game forced the Chiefs to lean even more heavily on Mahomes’ playmaking ability, as he was the team’s only effective runner. He often had to make plays with his legs, resulting in career-highs in both rushing yards (422) and rushing touchdowns (5).
With the Chiefs likely moving on from one or both of Hunt and Pacheco, Dowdle would have the perfect opportunity to earn the lead-back role he desperately desires. Dowdle was an instrumental piece in transforming the Panthers into a playoff team, but his workload decreased over the last two months, with the team favoring Chuba Hubbard.
Despite this, Dowdle logged 1,076 rushing yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, while adding 39 receptions for 297 yards and seven total touchdowns. For the Chiefs, Dowdle’s versatility and effectiveness as a runner should entice them to go after him in free agency.
Looking at this year’s free agency, there are a few quality running backs, and Dowdle has proven to be one of them. In the last two seasons, he’s displayed the capability of being the primary ball-carrier and is by far a better option than Hunt and Pacheco.
Only 27 years old, Dowdle is yet to play his best football, and could be the spark the Chiefs’ offense needs to return to contention. Although he’ll likely command a pay increase and the Chiefs don’t have too much in cap space, he shouldn’t command more than $8 million per year. In fact, Spotrac is projecting him to make $6.5 million annually on his next deal.
For Dowdle, the Chiefs should be his top choice to sign with. He’d instantly become the Chiefs' top choice at running back and fulfill his desires, while also playing alongside Mahomes. Who wouldn’t want that?
On paper, this match makes perfect sense, and hopefully, the two can work out a deal in the offseason.