Kansas City Chiefs make sneaky-good signing in 2026 NFL free agency that adds depth to an already improved backfield
The Kansas City Chiefs added more depth to their running back room in 2026 NFL free agency.
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to improve their roster during the 2026 NFL free agency period, adding another piece to an already improved backfield after the Kenneth Walker III signing.
According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Chiefs are set to sign former Arizona Cardinals RB Emari Demercado on a one-year deal. An undrafted free agent out of TCU in 2023, Demercado has spent the past three seasons in Arizona. He was slated to be a restricted free agent this offseason, but was not tendered a contract by the Cardinals. He became an unrestricted free agent when the new league year began and is not considered a compensatory free agent as a result, meaning he does not count toward the compensatory pick formula.
So, what’s the story with this signing exactly? The Chiefs are betting on upside after Demercado put up some pretty impressive numbers with limited opportunities across the past three seasons.
Chiefs betting on Emari Demercado’s upside after impressive tenure in Arizona
Demercado was always a complementary piece with the Cardinals, often working behind James Conner and Trey Benson. The 5-foot-9 and 215-pound running back only started two games in 40 regular-season appearances. That said, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the numbers he put up in Arizona. Over three seasons, he had 126 carries for 819 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry during that span. Just last season, Demercado led the entire NFL with 5.52 yards after contact per attempt, with 7.1 yards per carry.
He has some ability in the receiving game, too. With 50 receptions for 324 yards (also a 6.5 yard per reception average and one touchdown. Kick return has also been something for him in the past two seasons, with six kick returns for 150 yards. Over the past two seasons, Demercado has regressed as a pass-blocker. However, the 27-year-old allowed no pressure on 47 pass-blocking opportunities in 2023. I wager Kansas City thinks they can get him back on track there.
A lot of Cardinals fans will say good riddance because Demercado made a mistake against the Titans in Week 5 this season, dropping the ball before crossing the goal line, resulting in a touchback on what would’ve been a breakaway touchdown. Then-Cards head coach Jonathan Gannon infamously lost his cool on the sideline and got fined by the team for the altercation afterward. It was a bad play, but one that Demercado has hopefully learned from.
Ultimately, the Chiefs still needed to add players to their running back room to provide competitive depth. The only two players behind Walker before this move were Brashard Smith and ShunDerrick Powell. They’ll likely need to add further depth via the 2026 NFL Draft and undrafted free agency to be able to withstand the rigors of the 2026 NFL offseason and find the best fits for their backfield.
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