Chiefs’ path to fixing the backfield is only one trade away

The Chiefs' Turbulent Running Back Room

In recent years, Kansas City's backfield has been marked more by instability than impact, ranging from inconsistent to outright ineffective. This turbulence reached its peak in 2024 when Isaiah Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2, prompting the Chiefs to bring back former running back Kareem Hunt.

Hunt’s return to Kansas City yielded mixed results: while his short-yardage and goal-line vision remained elite, his diminished top-end speed was evident, contributing to a subpar 3.6 yards per carry, despite an impressive 7 rushing touchdowns.

There is some cautious optimism entering the 2025 season. Pacheco is expected to return to form, potentially matching his 2023 output of 1,170 scrimmage yards. Hunt re-signed for a likely complementary role, ideal for short-yardage scenarios. The Chiefs also selected Brashard Smith—a dynamic, positionally versatile wide receiver convert from SMU—in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Additionally, they added veteran Elijah Mitchell, whose explosiveness rounds out the room.

Still, this group ranks among the bottom five running back units in the NFL—and, most importantly, dead last in the AFC West. With defenses frequently countering Kansas City's aerial attack using Cover 2 schemes, which are inherently vulnerable to the run, the Chiefs lack the players to exploit that weakness consistently.

If the Chiefs' offense is to reclaim its previous dominance, a significant upgrade at running back is not only widely recommended but necessary.

Breece Hall: Superstar RB

Enter Breece Hall, superstar running back for the New York Jets. Since 2023, Hall’s usage in New York has been wildly inconsistent, ranging from as few as four to as many as 37 rushing attempts in a single game. Despite the erratic deployment, he still managed to finish fourth among running backs in both receptions and receiving yards in 2024—an impressive testament to his versatility.

Standing at 5'11" and weighing 217 pounds, Hall ran an eye-popping 4.39 in the 40-yard dash, earning a near-perfect 9.95 Relative Athletic Score (RAS). Coming out of the 2022 NFL Draft, he was projected as a complete, explosive back with true three-down capability—an assessment that has translated into the pros.

Hall’s top-end speed consistently shows up on film, highlighted by long runs of 62, 83, and 42 yards in the past three seasons, respectively. Beyond his straight-line burst, it’s his elusiveness and improvisational creativity as a ball carrier that set him apart—traits that place him firmly among the top five at his position in today’s NFL.

In the first clip below, the Jets motion a receiver across the formation to confuse the linebackers, then run a duo run scheme into the motion. Hall sees the linebackers out of position for a weakside run and cuts to the backside of the formation, breaking three tackles before going down for a 17-yard gain.

It is very unlikely that the Chiefs have a running back on the roster who can make plays like this consistently—especially with the injury concerns looming over the entire running back room.

Trade Rumors & Fit in KC

Despite Jets head coach Aaron Glenn’s public attempts to dispel the rumors (as reflected in his comments below), Breece Hall’s name continues to surface in trade discussions, this time with speculation suggesting a potential move ahead of the trade deadline.

For the Chiefs, acquiring Hall midseason wouldn’t just provide an immediate upgrade to what is projected to be one of the league’s least productive backfields; it would also offer valuable time for head coach Andy Reid to assess his fit within Kansas City’s offense before the postseason.

Hall’s diverse skill set effectively fuses the strengths of the Chiefs' current running back room into one elite package. As a reliable receiving threat both out of the backfield and split out wide, a home-run hitter capable of explosive breakaway runs, and a cerebral runner with the vision and agility to evade defenders and extend plays, Hall offers versatility that none of the current backs can provide alone.

Hall's presence would allow veterans like Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell to be used more conservatively, keeping them fresh for the playoffs, while simultaneously adding an invaluable layer of unpredictability to the offense.

Defenses would no longer be able to tailor their strategy based on personnel. Stacking the box on third-and-short when Hunt would normally check in, or replacing linebackers with defensive backs on second-and-medium when Brashard Smith would enter, would become far riskier propositions.

Hall's versatility forces opposing coordinators to stay honest. Perhaps most importantly, his ability to manipulate defensive alignments simply by being on the field alleviates the burden on Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes to make the perfect play call in every situation.

With Hall in the fold, the Chiefs' offense would no longer have to rely on flawless execution from its two masterminds.

Conclusion

The Chiefs have long thrived on creativity, adaptability, and elite talent, but as the past few years have shown us, even the most innovative offenses need balance.

With the league increasingly tailoring its defensive schemes to limit Mahomes through deep coverage shells, the absence of a reliable ground game is no longer a tolerable inefficiency—it’s a tactical disadvantage.

Breece Hall is more than just a talent upgrade; he embodies a strategic solution. His all-around ability could reshape how defenses approach Kansas City, alleviate pressure on the coaching staff, and restore unpredictability to an offense that has grown overly reliant on perfection.

If the Chiefs are serious about extending their dynasty and maximizing their Super Bowl window, the move for Hall isn’t just smart—it’s essential.