The Kansas City Chiefs face a major roster shake-up, as running back Isiah Pacheco looks likely to leave, and with free agency approaching, the team must navigate cap constraints while strengthening the offense.
Coach Andy Reid has been orchestrating changes to improve the locker room, and with multiple players, including Pacheco, potentially departing, the Chiefs aim to upgrade their offensive unit before the new season begins.
“He seems likely to sign elsewhere,” reports Jesse Newell. “With that team hoping the 26-year-old can see a career resurgence with better health luck.”
Although the team restructured Patrick Mahomes‘ contract to free $43.56 million, converting a portion of his $78.2 million cap hit into a signing bonus, the Chiefs remain roughly $11 million over the salary cap due to a disappointing 2025 season.
Pacheco‘s efficiency has declined, dropping from 4.7 yards per carry in his first two years to 3.9 over the last two seasons, and with recurring injuries, management may feel a change at running back is necessary for sustained success.
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Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pacheco completed his four-year rookie contract after 2025, earning $934,777 annually on a $3.7 million total, and while he showed early promise, injuries hindered his long-term impact.
Despite flashes of excellence in his first seasons, Pacheco‘s production fell, culminating in 462 yards and one touchdown in 2025, leaving the Chiefs in need of a more durable, consistent option to complement Mahomes in the backfield.
Could the Kansas City Chiefs sign Travis Etienne?
With Pacheco‘s departure looming, the Chiefs may turn to free agency, and Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Etienne, a first-round pick in 2021, is emerging as a versatile, high-performing replacement to rejuvenate Kansas City’s running game.
The 27-year-old Etienne has played five NFL seasons, missing only his rookie year due to injury, and with 3,798 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns in 66 games, he offers consistency and dual-threat ability, unlike Pacheco, who never reached 1,000 yards in a season.
In 2025, Etienne recorded 36 receptions for 292 yards and six receiving touchdowns, showing his receiving skills, and for the Chiefs, this would address a backfield that lacked production through the air while reducing Mahomes‘ workload.
Insider Pete Sweeney reports that Etienne is eager to join Kansas City, and given the team’s urgent need at running back and Mahomes‘ recent knee injury, adding a durable and versatile RB could immediately stabilize the offense.
Etienne‘s market value is estimated at $6.8 million annually, though a deal in Kansas City could reach $13.6 million, reflecting his reliability, versatility, and mostly injury-free history, while providing a long-term solution for the Chiefs‘ backfield.
With a proven track record and dual-threat capabilities, Travis Etienne would allow the Chiefs to protect Mahomes, diversify their offense, and compensate for Pacheco‘s declining production, making the move a strategic priority for 2026.