In 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs were once again among the top teams in the NFL. The team advanced to the Super Bowl for the third consecutive season, but were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles.
When a team wins three straight Super Bowls, it’s safe to assume there aren’t many holes in the roster. However, the Chiefs’ run game left much to be desired in 2024, and the team may look to make a splashy addition this offseason.
In 2024, the Chiefs finished 22nd in the league for total rushing yards. Much of this can be attributed to starting running back Isiah Pacheco missing seven games due to an injury, but the team is expected to lose depth in free agency.
Kareem Hunt and Samaje Perine are set to test the market, leaving Pacheco and Carson Steele as the only running backs on the roster.
Curt Popejoy of Steelers Wire recently predicted logical landing spots for each of Pittsburgh’s top free agents. Popejoy predicted running back Najee Harris would sign with the Chiefs.
In 2024, Harris ran for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns. The running back has surpassed 1,000 yards in all four seasons and was named to the Pro Bowl following his rookie season in 2021.
Harris’ ability to manage a heavy workload may also appeal to the Chiefs. The Alabama product has had at least 255 carries in each of his seasons and has never missed a game due to injury.
Furthermore, Harris is a capable pass-catcher who could compensate for Hunt’s loss. In 2024, Harris had 36 receptions for 283 yards. Harris caught 71 passes in 2021, indicating that he could work well with an elite quarterback like Patrick Mahomes.
Spotrac predicts Harris will sign a three-year contract worth $27 million this offseason. Over the Cap predicts that the Chiefs will be one of six NFL teams with negative cap space, necessitating cost-cutting moves to land a player like Harris.
Fortunately for the Chiefs, they could save nearly $60 million by restructuring the contracts of Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, while extending Joe Thuney.
Free agency begins on March 12, and the Chiefs are likely to be major players.
