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The 2025 NFL regular season will come to a close this weekend, meaning the offseason is about to begin for 18 teams — and it’s just around the corner for those who make the playoffs. Everyone will be looking to upgrade their rosters in the coming months. So, who needs the most help at the position I always have my eye on?
Perusing the offseason landscape at running back, there is a talented group of players set to hit free agency in March, including the Jets’ Breece Hall, Jaguars’ Travis Etienne, Cowboys’ Javonte Williams, Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker III, Falcons’ Tyler Allgeier and Panthers’ Rico Dowdle. I could mention all six of their respective teams on this list, but to avoid redundancy, I’ll just say those organizations would be wise to re-sign those guys, four of whom have already eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in 2025 (Walker has 930, while Allgeier’s at 498). That said, Atlanta’s best positioned to absorb the loss, considering it has all-world playmaker Bijan Robinson leading the backfield.
Additionally, the 2026 NFL Draft will bring more RB talent to the fore, including highly regarded Notre Dame product Jeremiyah Love, who declared his intention to turn pro a couple weeks ago.
With all of that in mind, I’m here today to spotlight the running back rooms that need the biggest boost this offseason. Here are my top five.
Where to begin? This starts with the fact that the Chiefs have played so much football over the last seven seasons. In that span, they’ve logged 21 playoff games — that’s more than a full regular season’s worth. Fatigue has to be a factor in Kansas City’s myriad offensive problems in 2025, which have resulted in the unit’s worst statistical season in memory (20th in scoring, 17th in yards). The offensive line has struggled, and as much as I like the physicality both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt bring to the field, they don’t often create in space. Both are efficient when given a hole, but neither earns chunk yards on his own. For proof, the Chiefs have only gained 2.8 rush yards after contact per carry this season, tied for 28th in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. Both Hunt (158 carries, 597 yards, eight rush TDs) and Pacheco (118 carries, 462 yards, one rush TD) are free agents this offseason. Seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith could claim a larger role going forward, but Kansas City will have to significantly overhaul this group in free agency and the draft.
