The Kansas City Chiefs are wasting no time in strengthening their roster for another Super Bowl push.
After making key signings on both sides of the ball, the reigning AFC champions have added former San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell to their offensive arsenal.
Chiefs snag Elijah Mitchell
Mitchell, 26, showed flashes of being a dynamic playmaker during his time with the 49ers but struggled with injuries over the past few seasons.
Despite missing the entire 2024 campaign due to a hamstring injury, the Chiefs are betting on his potential to provide a spark in their backfield.
Mitchell burst onto the NFL scene as a rookie in 2021, racking up 963 rushing yards and five touchdowns while adding value as a receiver.
However, the arrival of Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco relegated him to a secondary role, and injuries further limited his impact.
Now, with a fresh start in Kansas City, he has an opportunity to carve out a significant role in an offense that thrives on speed and versatility.
For the Chiefs, adding Mitchell is part of a larger effort to ensure quarterback Patrick Mahomes is surrounded by the right playmakers.
Kansas City’s running game lacked explosiveness last season, and Mitchell’s ability to find gaps and accelerate could help balance the offense.
Given head coach Andy Reid’s preference for zone-running schemes, similar to those Mitchell played under in San Francisco, his transition to the Chiefs’ system should be seamless.
Of course, Mitchell’s health remains a concern.
His injury history means Kansas City will likely continue exploring additional options at running back, whether in free agency or the upcoming NFL Draft.
The team may look to pair him with another playmaker to ensure they have the necessary depth to withstand the grind of a long season.
The Chiefs’ offseason has been anything but quiet, with moves like signing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to stretch the field and locking down defensive leader Nick Bolton.
The addition of Mitchell signals their commitment to staying aggressive and keeping Mahomes equipped with the tools needed to dominate.
If Mitchell can stay healthy and recapture his early-career form, Kansas City’s run game could take a significant step forward in 2025.
And with the way the Chiefs are reloading, the rest of the NFL should take notice.
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