NFL Analyst Doubts Chiefs Will Pursue Top RBs in Free Agency

Louis Riddick believes Kansas City will focus on defensive line and wide receiver needs instead.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 1:07am

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NFL analyst Louis Riddick, who has ties to the Kansas City Chiefs' front office, believes the team will not prioritize signing a top free agent running back this offseason. Riddick thinks the Chiefs will instead focus on addressing needs at defensive line and wide receiver during free agency.

Why it matters

The Chiefs had a disappointing 2025 season, missing the playoffs, and have several key positions to address. While running back has been considered a top need, Riddick's comments suggest the team may go in a different direction in free agency.

The details

Riddick, who previously worked with Chiefs GM Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia, stated on ESPN's 'Get Up' that he doesn't see the Chiefs 'playing in the veteran free agent market for a running back.' Instead, Riddick believes the team will target pass rushers and wide receivers in free agency. The Chiefs' running game struggled at times in 2025, and the team has had mixed results drafting running backs under Veach's tenure.

  • The Chiefs' 2025 season ended on a five-game losing streak after a Thanksgiving loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

The players

Louis Riddick

An NFL analyst who previously worked with Chiefs GM Brett Veach and coach Andy Reid in Philadelphia.

Brett Veach

The general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Rashee Rice

A wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs whose circumstances have led to wide receiver becoming a potential need for the team.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire

A running back drafted by the Chiefs who has not consistently performed as a starter.

Isiah Pacheco

A running back drafted by the Chiefs who has had some success but not locked down the starting role.

Breece Hall

A top free agent running back that the Chiefs could potentially target.

Travis Etienne Jr.

A top free agent running back that the Chiefs could potentially target.

Kenneth Walker

A top free agent running back that the Chiefs could potentially target.

Kareem Hunt

A running back the Chiefs could potentially re-sign as a short-yardage specialist.

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What they’re saying

“If you're talking about the free agent market and what positions they could end up targeting, obviously you want to see if there comes a point in time where any kind of premier interior or edge pass rusher comes available. You want to see what's happing in the wide receiver market, for sure. I don't think you can count them out of that market. Them making a big swing for a No. 1 type of wide receiver, I don't think you can totally rule out.”

— Louis Riddick, NFL Analyst

“I don't think that they would play in the veteran free agent market for a running back. I know some people would say he swung and missed on Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Right now people think that he doesn't know how to draft running backs at a high level. I don't think they're going to play at the free agent market (at running back). I think wide receiver [and] pass rusher would be the positions in the veteran free agent market that they will look at.”

— Louis Riddick, NFL Analyst

What’s next

The Chiefs will have to determine their priorities in free agency and the draft, weighing the needs at running back, defensive line, and wide receiver.

The takeaway

Riddick's comments suggest the Chiefs may take a different approach than expected in free agency, focusing on defensive and receiving needs rather than targeting a top running back. This could signal a shift in the team's offseason strategy as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2025 season.