The Kansas City Chiefs had a sneaky running back problem with Kareen Hunt and Sameje Perine both heading to free agency, leaving Isiah Pacheco as the lone back.
But the Chiefs didn't waste too much time getting Pacheco a running mate, with San Francisco 49ers back Elijah Mitchell coming to the AFC West.
Having missed the entire 2024 season, Mitchell is somewhat of a forgotten figure in NFL circles but showed in his rookie season (963 yards, five touchdowns) that he can be quite the weapon.
But there is a big what-if with Mitchell, and it's his injury history. Since 2022, he's played just 16 games, and for ESPN's Adam Teicher, that is the biggest risk with Elijah being counted on in 2025.
"Since an impressive rookie season in 2021, Mitchell has been unable to remain in the lineup," Teicher writes. "He missed all of 2024 because of a hamstring injury. In his three other NFL seasons, he played in just 27 games because of various injuries. But Mitchell, when healthy, is fast, and the Chiefs have lacked speed out of their backfield for some time. So, if he can stay in the lineup, he will be a solid addition."
Let's call this one of the week's biggest "what-if'' signings.
One thing the Chiefs lack out of the backfield is genuine speed. Pacheco and Hunt last season were bruising, downhill runners who wore down the defense, but Mitchell has home-run potential on every carry.
Now, will the Chiefs be able to get the 2021 version of Mitchell up and running in 2025? There is no reason why not, and having sat out the entire 2024 season, Elijah's body will be fresh from not taking a beating all year.
There is risk with every signing, but the San Francisco 49ers showed what can happen when Christian McCaffrey came to the NFC West, and that worked out.
The Chiefs with Mitchell, will be hoping he can prove to be a valuable member of the offense and see the field more than the treatment room in 2025.
