How the Chiefs could take advantage of the Panthers RB situation

The Kansas City Chiefs there will be plenty of eyes on them during the 2026 offseason. Kansas City disappointed in 2025he won just six games and missed the playoffs. Now they face incredible pressure to improve the roster NFL free agency is set to begin in a few weeks.

ESPN’s Dan Graziano explained who the main players could be on the run during NFL free agency. It should come as no surprise to Chiefs fans that their team made the list.

“Teams I expect to see evaluate the RB free agent market include the Chiefs, Texans and Giants, among others,” Graziano wrote. “Carolina’s Rico Dowdle and Atlanta’s Tyler Allgaier are both free agents their teams would consider bringing back at their true contract price, but I expect both will get a chance to hit free agency and see if they can get rookie money elsewhere.

Kansas City is willing to let Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt be free agents. That would leave them with Brashard Smith as their top running back.

Of course, the Chiefs should at least check backs like Allgeier and Dowdle during free agency.

How the Chiefs were able to steal Rick Dowdle from the Panthers during NFL free agency

Graziano also explained why Dowdle is more likely to reach free agency than Allgeier.

“If the Panthers lose linebacker Rick Dowdle in free agency, I don’t think they’ll be in a rush to find an outside replacement,” Graziano added. “They have Chubba Hubbard under contract, like the promise of second-year running back Trevor Etienne and are optimistic about 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, who has played in just three career games due to injuries. I’m told Brooks is making good progress in his rehab and has clocked more than 21 mph on the near track. He can contribute this season, though obviously his health history will always make that a question.

As a result, the Panthers could be tempted to part ways with Dowdle. Especially if he gets a lucrative contract offer from another team like the Chiefs.

Mock drafts also have linked the Chiefs to Notre Dame RB Jeremiiah Love. But there’s no guarantee he’ll still be on the board at ninth overall.

Ultimately, the Chiefs could address the running back in both free agency and the draft.

Either way, it will be fascinating to see which players Kansas City targets during free agency.