W hile the Kansas City Chiefs remain laser-focused on bolstering their offensive and defensive lines heading into next week's NFL Draft , a less obvious - but potentially urgent - issue is brewing in the backfield .

The reigning champs might look solid at running back on paper for 2025, with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt , and newcomer Elijah Mitchell locked in. But here's the kicker: none of them are under contract beyond next season .

That's right - the entire running back room could hit free agency in 2026 . It's a problem flying under the radar, but ESPN's Adam Teicher says the front office is very aware.

Is the solution in the draft?

" Mitchell, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt give the Chiefs enough depth to begin the season, but... none of the three players is signed beyond 2025, so not adding a back in the draft this year could mean starting from scratch in 2026," Teicher wrote.

General manager Brett Veach has hinted that a running back is likely to be selected during the draft . And with the Chiefs' track record of late-round finds (remember Pacheco in the 7th round in 2022?), the move wouldn't be shocking - it would be smart.

A young, cost-controlled back could step in as insurance this year and potentially become the starter in 2026 , giving Kansas City both flexibility and continuity. With Hunt's long-term future unclear and Mitchell still unproven in the Chiefs' system, the need is quietly becoming urgent .

The Chiefs need to take action now

If Pacheco has a bounce-back year, he could earn an extension - but even that wouldn't solve the depth issue long-term. That's why locking in a rookie now could be key to keeping the offense humming in future seasons.

For now, it's not a crisis. But Kansas City knows better than anyone - in the NFL, if you wait too long to fix a problem, you're already too late .