The 2026 season will present a new challenge for the Kansas City Chiefs, given the changes to the offense in the lineup and coaching staff this offseason.
Whether it’s signing running back Kenneth Walker III to a massive contract or bolstering the offensive coaching staff with former NFL running backs Eric Bieniemy and DeMarco Murray, the team appears to be ready to emphasize the run game more than in years past.
The Chiefs started Organized Team Activities (OTAs) this week with Phase 1, giving head
coach Andy Reid a chance to speak to reporters at a press conference. On Monday, he talked about the significance of an impactful rushing attack in countering opponents’ defensive strategies.
“You want to be able to throw as many things at a defense as you possibly can,” Reid began. “Defenses are complicated in today’s world; they create crazy matchups and coverages versus all these different formations that the offense has come up with for confusion’s sake. To neutralize that, you come back with the run game.”
In 2025, Kansas City attempted the eighth-fewest rushes in the NFL, including quarterback Patrick Mahomes finishing second in scrambles (53) during the regular season.
“If you run effectively, it kind of balances some things out there with these bizarre secondary looks that you’re getting,” Reid explained. “I think that’s important; it’s positive if you can do that. We feel like we have the people to do it, not only in the backfield but also up front to do even better than we did last year.”
The confidence in center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith is well earned, but the mentality to further emphasize the run game also speaks to belief in left guard Kingsley Suamataia and left tackle Josh Simmons, both slated to start in Kansas City for at least the next two seasons on rookie deals.
Does it also speak to the importance of ensuring the right tackle position is cemented for the short and long term? Draft weekend may answer that question for us, but there’s little doubt about the organization’s intention to improve the rushing attack in 2026.
