Chiefs predicted to replace Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco with electric 900-yard RB

Mike Moraitis

Chiefs predicted to replace Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco with electric 900-yard RB image

Denny Medley-Imagn Images

The Kansas City Chiefs need to make a lot of improvements in the 2026 offseason and one area that needs more love is running back.

Entering Week 16, the Chiefs sport the No. 20 ground game in the NFL and Patrick Mahomes ranks second on the team in rushing yards behind Kareem Hunt, who has split backfield work with Isiah Pacheco this season.

Part of the problem is the Chiefs' run-blocking hasn't been up to snuff, with Kansas City ranking 26th in run-block win rate.

The other part of the problem is that neither Pacheco nor Hunt are true difference-makers at the position who can take pressure off Mahomes. After what we've seen out of both this season, we expect the Chiefs to let them leave in free agency.

With the Chiefs in need of an upgrade over Pacheco and Hunt, Bleacher Report's Alex Kay anticipates Kansas City adding New York Jets pending free agent and running back Breece Hall in free agency.

Signing Hall would add a new dynamic to Kansas City's ground game, providing an edge this squad has lacked since Hunt's early years with the organization. He could work as a focal point for the offense during Mahomes' absence in 2026 and profiles as an excellent playmaker for the signal-caller to work with when he eventually gets back on the field.

Hall would be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Chiefs' offense.

He would bring a much-needed explosive element to Kansas City's offense with his ability to break off big plays, both as a runner and pass-catcher. He is fully capable of taking games over, a trait that would take some weight off Mahomes' shoulders.

Hall has tallied 900 rushing yards and 323 receiving yards, which is made more impressive by the fact that he's on one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Having more help around him would do wonders for Hall's production.

Hall is in the final year of his contract, but it remains to be seen if the Jets would let him walk in free agency.

All signs point to the Jets trying to retain Hall, but he may not be open to that given all the losing he has experienced during his career in New York.

It also wouldn't really make sense for the Jets to spend big money to keep Hall since New York isn't even remotely close to competing.

If Hall and/or the Jets aren't interested in keeping this relationship going, look for the Jets to franchise tag Hall and then look to trade him, which would complicate matters for the Chiefs' hopes of acquiring him.

In that scenario, not only would the Chiefs have to give up draft capital to acquire Hall, they would then have to turn around and extend him. If that's the avenue the Chiefs have to take, bringing in Hall becomes far less likely.

Another problem for the Chiefs is money, as Kansas City is projected to be $44 million over the cap in the offseason.

But if the Chiefs can make it work, they absolutely should bring Hall in, as he can provide a massive boost to Kansas City's lackluster offense.

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Contributing Writer