Chiefs to sign running back Jerick McKinnon

The Kansas City Chiefs are signing running back Jerick McKinnon, as first reported by NFL Network host (and Arrowhead Pride lobbyist) Peter Schrager.

The Chiefs later made it official via their Twitter account.

McKinnon, 28, first entered the NFL as a third-round pick made by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2014 NFL Draft. McKinnon spent 2014-2017 in Minnesota before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 2018, but he missed the 2018 season after tearing his ACL in practice. Following a setback, McKinnon also missed the 2019 season.

Finally, the 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back returned to the field in 2020, appearing in all 16 games while starting four. He rushed 81 times for 319 yards and five touchdowns while catching 33 passes for 253 yards and a score through the air.

The Chiefs were most recently interested in Gio Bernard, but he landed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both Bernard and McKinnon offer the ability to put up numbers as both rushers and receivers.

Now, behind second-year player Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the Chiefs currently have Darrel Williams, Darwin Thompson, McKinnon, Elijah McGuire and Derrick Gore. They also have a fullback in Mike Burton. The Chiefs released Damien Williams — who landed with the Chicago Bears — in mid-March.

The Chiefs have often liked having a deep running back room entering training camp under head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach, and the number of backs they keep varies widely on a year-to-year basis.