Chiefs Predicted to Add 7,000-Yard RB at NFL Trade Deadline

The Kansas City Chiefs have gotten their offense back on track after a shaky start, propelled by the return of top wide receiver Rashee Rice.

But while Patrick Mahomes has the passing offense humming, the team is still struggling to get consistent production from its backfield. Mahomes remains the team’s leader in rushing yards and touchdowns, leading one expert to predict the team will bring in some veteran help ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline.

Chiefs Aiming at Big Running Back Target

The Athletic’s Mike Jones and Jeff Howe predicted the Chiefs would land New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara for a relatively modest price — a fourth-round pick in 2026 and a sixth-rounder.

While Kamara has said he wants to remain on the Saints and even threatened to retire if he were traded, Jones predicted that the allure of a Super Bowl ring could persuade him to back off the threat.

“Yes, the 30-year-old Kamara has said he wants to be a Saint for life. But the chance to contend for a Super Bowl would give him pause,” Jones wrote. “He boasts the type of versatility that would fit perfectly in an Andy Reid offense. He’d deliver a spark in the run game and some sizzle in the passing attack because of his ability to catch passes out of the backfield or split out wide. Kamara would likely see his yards per carry increase in a Chiefs offense that boasts so many weapons and makes it harder for defenses to key on him.”

The Saints could still defer to their star running back, who has amassed 7,000 rushing yards during his stellar career in New Orleans. NFL.com insider Ian Rapoport reported earlier this month that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis met with Kamara and asked his thoughts on being traded.

Kamara was steadfast in his decision, Rapoport reported.

“Loomis wanted to treat one of the faces of the franchise the right way,” Rapoport noted. “Loomis informed the homegrown player of interest elsewhere and wanted to be transparent. The question was simply: Would you want to go? Kamara expressed his preference to stay in New Orleans, the team that selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.”

Chiefs Could Take Aim at Other Targets

If Kamara sticks to his request to stay in New Orleans, the Chiefs could take aim at some other running backs in the trade market. Reporter Jared Camenker of USA Today noted that there are some other productive running backs expected to hit the trade block, including Tennessee Titans back Tony Pollard.

Pollard could be a strong addition to Kansas City’s backfield, having already amassed 380 rushing yards and two touchdowns despite a shaky offensive line in Tennessee, Camenker added.

“Pollard is among the most likely veterans to be traded,” Camenker wrote. “The Titans are sitting at 1-6, fired coach Brian Callahan and will be looking to rebuild their offense quickly around Cam Ward. Pollard, 28, could be a part of those plans, but Tennessee may be more interested in seeing how 24-year-old Tyjae Spears can fare as the team’s lead back.”

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