Pair of players regularly connected to Kansas City Chiefs are one step closer to reaching 2026 NFL free agency, but another won’t
Two targets for the Kansas City Chiefs are that much closer to becoming unrestricted free agents, but another won’t be so lucky.
It’s no secret that the Kansas City Chiefs are looking to upgrade the running back position, and now they have a clear path to doing so during the 2026 NFL free agency period.
The NFL’s franchise tag window officially closed on Tuesday, Mar. 3, with three players receiving the non-exclusive franchise tag and one player receiving the transition tag. Two pending free agents at the running back position who have been regularly connected to the Chiefs were both at risk of being franchise-tagged. They officially managed to avoid the franchise tag. Another pending free agent, who has been connected to the Chiefs since the trade deadline during the 2025 NFL season, was not so lucky.
Chiefs free agency targets Kenneth Walker & Travis Etienne avoid franchise tag, but Breece Hall doesn’t
With the franchise tag deadline officially passing, Seattle Seahawks RB and Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker & Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. are one step closer to becoming unrestricted free agents. There are still five days left for their respective teams to hash out contract extensions, but the latest news suggests that both players will hit free agency.
Walker has been told to test the market but remains in contact with Seattle in the event that his market comes in under expectations of $11M to $16M per year on average. There’s plenty of appeal in bringing in a player who is fresh off a Super Bowl title, producing three consecutive games over 100-yards rushing en route to a Super Bowl MVP performance. His tough-running style certainly fits new OC Eric Bieniemy and new RBs coach DeMarco Murray.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars have given no indication they want to bring back Etienne. There has been a lot of smoke connecting Etienne to Kansas City, especially given his experience in an Andy Reid-adjacent offensive scheme with Doug Pederson. His blend of explosive playmaking in the running game and the passing game, plus his pass-protection skills are exactly what the Chiefs need to elevate their running back room.
As for another running back target often connected to Kansas City, Breece Hall was officially hit with the franchise tag. He’s a player that the Chiefs reportedly had interest in at the trade deadline this past season. He received the non-exclusive franchise tag, which means he can negotiate with other teams, but the New York Jets retain the right to match any offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation should the player leave to join a new team. Nobody is paying that for Hall, but they could always agree to trade him if they can’t reach a long-term deal. There’s also the possibility that they could revoke the tag if he refuses to sign and play on it. The most likely scenario? Hall is a Jet for the 2026 NFL season and perhaps beyond.
Right now, it seems as if the Chiefs will have two high-end running back options to choose from in Walker and Etienne. If they sign either player, likely on a three-year contract, it won’t only shape the rest of their free agency but also how they navigate the 2026 NFL Draft.
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