Kansas City Chiefs come in at No. 1 in ESPN's post-free agency NFL power rankings thanks in part to 1 under-the-radar move
Despite ending last season with a loss in Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs are kicking off the 2025 offseason as the No. 1 team in ESPN's post-free agency power rankings. The Chiefs have done a little bit of everything during free agency, including using the franchise tag, signing multiple outside free agents, re-signing […]
Despite ending last season with a loss in Super Bowl LIX, the Kansas City Chiefs are kicking off the 2025 offseason as the No. 1 team in ESPN's post-free agency power rankings.
The Chiefs have done a little bit of everything during free agency, including using the franchise tag, signing multiple outside free agents, re-signing several of their own, and making a big trade. Longtime Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher believes that an under-the-radar move that will help Kansas City in 2025 was signing running back Elijah Mitchell.
"The addition of Mitchell didn't cost the Chiefs much (a little over $2 million on a one-year deal) and if he's healthy, he gives the the team speed out of the backfield. That's been hard to find for Kansas City lately, as it lacked a breakaway threat at running back last season. Mitchell offers a nice contrast to Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, the Chiefs' other top backs."
Pacheco, Hunt, and Mitchell definitely have the potential to be a very good three-headed rushing attack. Mitchell not only possesses the speed that the Chiefs need out of the backfield, but also has ability as a receiver and a pass blocker. If he can put the injury woes that have plagued his career behind him, he could be an underrated contributor for Kansas City's offense in 2025.
The Chiefs also hope that they have shored up their issues at left tackle with the signing of Jaylon Moore. With Hollywood Brown and Rashee Rice returning at wide receiver, K.C. plans to be more explosive in the passing game. Defensively, the only significant loss was safety Justin Reid, but second-year man Jaden Hicks is prime to step up and fill the void. Although he plays a different position, the Chiefs have strengthened their secondary by acquiring cornerback Kristian Fulton.