Why Chiefs RB Situation Is An 'Urgent' Need

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 18, 2025 3:01 AM ET

One area of the Kansas City Chiefs offense that seems to have faded into the background amid all the offensive line talk this offseason has been the running back room.

After a 2024 season in which the Chiefs had the 26th-ranked run game (101.2 points per game), one would think improving that might be higher on the to-do list.

With Isiah Pacheco not looking like his usual self in coming back from an injury last year, and Kareem Hunt still the bruising runner he's always been, there doesn't appear to be much juice in the backfield right now.

Plus, when we factor in that neither player is under contract beyond 2025, that points to a defining season for both, and maybe the franchise needs to have an eye on 2026 in the draft.

For ESPN's Ben Solak, getting another back in the upcoming draft is rather urgent.

"Getting a rotational running back is more urgent to me," Solak writes. "RJ Harvey (UCF) plays like a Chiefs back -- they could snag him on Day 2 -- and Cam Skattebo (Arizona State) would be great on Day 3."

There is merit to that thought.

Harvey is coming off a season that saw him rush for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Skattebo and his 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns is the type of production the Chiefs could use.

With Harvey, a compact bruising runner, and Skattebo, a downhill punishing back, the Chiefs will add more grunt to their run game while adding youth to help push along the running back room.

Yes, Pacheco and Hunt have been great servants, and Isiah might stick around after 2025, but it wouldn't hurt to add another youthful back to the mix.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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