The Kansas City Chiefs made another running back addition on the evening of March 12, as NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the latest free agency news.
“Sources: The Chiefs are signing former [Arizona] Cardinals RB Emari Demercado to a 1-year deal,” Schultz relayed on X.
He added that “Demercado had over 1,100 total yards and 4 TDs in Arizona, and now joins Kenneth Walker in Kansas City’s backfield.”
That’s what the Chiefs are getting in Demercado — total yardage, meaning dual-threat ability.
The former Cardinals running back has accumulated over 100 receiving yards in each of his three NFL campaigns despite limited usage. He’s also been pretty impressive as a change-of-pace running back when called upon, with yards per carry averages of 9.3 and 7.1 in 2024 and 2025.
Chiefs RB Signing Emari Demercado Is a Home Run Threat
GettyThe Kansas City Chiefs added former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado.
Outside of his ability as a receiving back, Demercado’s most enticing trait is his home-run potential as a runner.
Part of the reason for Demercado’s high yards-per-carry clips is his breakout runs. And that’s something KC has been searching for in recent seasons: explosiveness.
Demercado’s longest carries in each of the past three years are 49 yards or greater.
- 2023: 49-yard long.
- 2024: 53-yard long.
- 2025: 71-yard long.
If you think about it, these traits make him the perfect type of RB to pair with Walker.
Walker is an early-down runner who wears down the defense with his physicality and vision. However, the reigning Super Bowl MVP is not the best receiver, nor is he a speed demon.
On the flip side, Demercado is a smaller back who cannot handle a full workload. He’s best utilized for a quick-hitter run or a passing opportunity.
Teaming Walker with Demercado and second-year RB Brashard Smith should arm Kansas City with a much more versatile backfield.
Chiefs Vet Kareem Hunt Is Still Available in NFL Free Agency
If the Chiefs want to continue adding to this position group, they could do so in a few different ways.
The first would be signing another new face like Demercado. Someone affordable who has untapped potential.
Option number two: draft another running back. 2026 is not considered to be as deep an RB class as last year, but there are still several intriguing prospects for KC to take a look at. And they have plenty of draft capital if anyone interests them.
Finally, the Chiefs could re-sign veteran Kareem Hunt on the cheap. Hunt is a locker room favorite who will not cost much in NFL free agency, and he’s still available as of March 12.
Kansas City did officially lose ex-starter Isiah Pacheco to the Detroit Lions, but Hunt appears to have less interest around the league. And that makes sense.
Hunt is entering his age-31 season and has been trending in the wrong direction.
Having said that, if he’s a scheme fit anywhere, it’s still with the Chiefs. Hunt knows head coach Andy Reid’s system and playbook, which could come in handy with an entirely new backfield outside of Smith — a young former seventh-round pick.
Hunt can also catch the ball out of the backfield, and very few players are better in short-yardage situations, not that Walker can’t get the job done.
Still, let’s say Walker gets injured or needs a break, Hunt could be the backup power back, considering Demercado and Smith are both smaller ball-carriers. There’s a very realistic world where Hunt is the fourth man in this RB room.
Chiefs Sign Dual-Threat RB to Pair With Kenneth Walker in Free Agency