Chiefs Urged to Replace Jerick McKinnon With 4-Time Pro Bowl RB.

In 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs could benefit from adding another seasoned running back behind Isiah Pacheco.

As of May 20, Clyde Edwards-Helaire appears to be the most likely RB2, with a number of prospects and newcomers trailing him. Following the recent release of La’Mical Perine, these players include Keaontay Ingram, Louis Rees-Zammit, Deneric Prince, Hassan Hall, and Emani Bailey and Carson Steele, both 2024 UDFAs.

The obvious approach would be to re-sign veteran team leader and third-down back Jerick McKinnon for his fourth season in Kansas City and call it a day. But there’s another alternative.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine urged the Chiefs to think a little bigger on May 13, naming four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook as a “realistic target” for KC.

“The offense is in good hands with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, but additional help would be nice,” Ballentine noted. Adding later: “They could use a running back to take on some of Jerick McKinnon’s role as a pass-catching back. Dalvin Cook is going to be 29 years old in August, but he could still help with that workload.”

After a dismal 15-game contract with the New York Jets in 2023, Cook was released and signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He appeared in one playoff game for Baltimore, rushing for 2.9 yards per carry and one first down.

Cook averaged a career-low 3.2 yards per carry and 5.2 yards per reception from the backfield while with the Jets. Overall, the dual threat accumulated 292 scrimmage yards behind Breece Hall, with two fumbles and no touchdowns.

After four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 2019 to 2022 and more over 8,000 career scrimmage yards, the soon-to-be 29-year-old had an unthinkably terrible season — but that doesn’t necessarily mean his playmaking days are over.

Jerick McKinnon Missed 8 Games With Chiefs in 2023-24

McKinnon has struggled with injuries throughout his career, and another major availability issue impacted him last year despite a mostly healthy 2022. In the end, the veteran was able to play in 12 regular season games in 2023 but missed the majority of the playoffs, returning just in time for the Super Bowl.

All told, that added up to eight key absences down the stretch.

The cause was a “core muscle injury and a fractured pelvis” that necessitated surgery, according to Chiefs Digest media member Matt Derrick. Unsurprisingly, such an injury casts doubt on McKinnon’s future in the NFL.

McKinnon has not been as active on social media this offseason as in prior years. Since February, he has only posted twice on X.

“A lot of ppl can’t come round me no more that’s just how that cookie crumbles 🤷‍♂️,” the running back posted cryptically on April 5. The second post did not appear to be football-related.