Total Pro Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs desperately need to make some adjustments. They fired a coach after a terrible season, but it might not be enough to just shake up the coaching staff.
Patrick Mahomes needs much more help on offense. He was a one-man show more often than not, and that’s simply not sustainable at the highest level.
Notably, it wasn’t just the pass-catchers. While guys like Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown and Xavier Worthy left plenty to be desired, Rashee Rice is facing some disturbing allegations and Travis Kelce was on the wrong end of some unfortunate bounces, the running game was even worse.
With that in mind, Sports Illustrated’s Jared Feinberg identified several free-agency targets for the Chiefs. Notably, among them, he had Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Etienne:
“That is why the Chiefs must consider drafting or signing a premier running back talent to bolster the productivity and efficiency of their run game. There will be several potential options in free agency, including Travis Etienne, Rico Dowdle, and Kenneth Gainwell, all of who would be featured runners in the offense this upcoming season,” Feinberg wrote.
Etienne would make perfect sense for a team like the Chiefs. The Clemson product has already proven that he can be a workhorse running back, and with Isiah Pacheco struggling to keep up and set to become a free agent, he’d be a massive upgrade for the backfield.
Isiah Pacheco looked like a star in the making before injuries ultimately caught up to him. Then there’s Kareem Hunt, an aging veteran who’s only efficient in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Head coach Andy Reid didn’t seem to trust rookie Brashard Smith much. He’s more of a pass-catching running back for the two-minute offense anyway.
Etienne toted the ball 260 times for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry and also hauled in 36 receptions on 52 targets for 292 yards and six receiving touchdowns.
Patrick Mahomes was the third-leading rusher in Kansas City this season. That’s rarely a recipe for success, and not even an offensive genius like Andy Reid can make up for the lack of talent in the backfield.
The Chiefs won’t have that much money to spread around, and that might make things difficult. But if Etienne wants to play for a Super Bowl contender, this should be an easy decision for him.
