The Kansas City Chiefs have struggled on the ground as they’ve gone winless so far this season, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes the only effective rusher through the first two weeks of the season.
One insider believes help could be on the way, naming the Chiefs as a top contender to land a running back from an AFC team expected to sell at the upcoming trade deadline.
Chiefs Could Find Help in Cleveland
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox identified the top trade targets headed into Week 3 of the NFL season, noting that the Cleveland Browns could be willing to part ways with running back Jerome Ford. The Browns are expected to move rookie running back Quinshon Judkins into a bigger role, which could give them space to move Ford.
Judkins’ presence should make running back Jerome Ford expendable. Maybe,” Knox wrote. The caveat here is that, while Judkins was not charged with domestic violence for his July arrest, he’s still being investigated by the NFL and could face suspension.
Whatever happens with Judkins, Knox noted that Ford appears to be dropping down the depth chart. After rushing for 813 yards with four touchdowns last season, Ford has just eight carries for 18 yards through the first two weeks of this season — a 1.5 yards-per-carry average.
Ford has proven to be a quality depth option in the backfield, rushing for 1,429 yards and seven touchdowns through his first four NFL seasons.
“Ford, though, seems to be falling out of favor in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. He saw just seven touches in Week 1 and was mostly in a receiving-back role in Week 2—he did have five catches,” Knox wrote.
With Ford set to be a free agent in 2026, the Browns may take what they can get for him now. That may not be a lot, but Ford has breakaway speed and has topped 500 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons.”
Chiefs Desperate for Spark on Offense
The Chiefs have not gotten much production from their backfield so far this season, with Mahomes serving as the leading rusher with 123 yards on the ground, mostly through scrambles.
Mahomes said he’s just taking what opposing defenses are giving him.
“At the end of the day, I’m a competitor. I’m just trying to win,” Mahomes said, via USA Today. “Whatever it takes, I’ll do. It’s been running a few times, early this season. We’ll get back to passing the ball and hopefully be better at it as the season rolls along.”
That has raised some concern with head coach Andy Reid, who said he doesn’t want to see the team’s star quarterback at risk of being injured. But Reid also acknowledged that Mahomes is always ready to take advantage of defenses and will scamper for yards when he sees an opening.
“He’ll probably tell you the same thing, He trains that way,” Reid said. “He goes after it, and he’s not going to not take an opportunity if it’s given.”
The Chiefs have struggled on offense so far this season, averaging just 19 points per game while falling to 0-2.
Chiefs Named Top Landing Spot for 1,440-Yard RB on Trade Block