Chiefs urged to cash in unexpected NFL draft status with ‘gamechanger’ as Matt Nagy fears grow

For the last few seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs have built a dynasty on the back of Patrick Mahomes’ wizardry.

The three-time Super Bowl champion has at times been aided by a “blue-collar” rushing attack led most recently by Isiah Pacheco and his violent running style.

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But as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, a shift in the wind at Arrowhead suggests GM Brett Veach might be looking to trade grit for gold.

Literally.

With Pacheco and Kareem Hunt both set to hit free agency, and the Chiefs coming off a season in which the run game felt more like a grind than a weapon, one name continues to be linked to Kansas City at No. 9 in the draft: Jeremiyah Love.

The Notre Dame standout isn’t just a running back, he’s a game-changer.

After a 2025 campaign where he racked up 1,372 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns, Love has solidified himself as a projected top-10 pick and potentially the ultimate “get” for a Chiefs offense looking to reinvent itself.

Kansas City went an uncharacteristic 6–11 and missed the postseason for the first time since 2014. Compounding matters, Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in his left knee during Week 15, leaving his status for the beginning of next season in doubt.

Regardless, head coach Andy Reid will need to retool his offense and establish a strong rushing attack to complement his star quarterback upon his return and relieve some of the pressure.

Love, a Heisman Trophy finalist widely considered one of the draft’s elite prospects, would fit seamlessly into Reid’s offense.

The offense will also be looking for a new coordinator, as Matt Nagy’s contract has expired and he is expected to land a head coaching job this cycle. Nonetheless, it will remain Reid’s offense.

In the longtime head coach’s offense, Love, a 6-foot, 214-pound Doak Walker Award winner, would be utilized much like Jahmyr Gibbs is in Detroit, anywhere and everywhere.

He has even drawn comparisons to a young Saquon Barkley.

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While Pacheco has been more than serviceable, the Chiefs have lacked a true X factor out of the backfield in the passing game since the early days of the Mahomes era.

Love is a natural receiver with soft hands and refined route-running that goes far beyond simple check-downs.

Imagine a scenario where Mahomes is forced out of the pocket and instead of a desperation heave, he has a back like Love who can pivot on a dime, find the soft spot in the zone, and turn a 3-yard dump-off into a 40-yard sprint.

A terrifying thought for the rest of the league.

Love’s ability to stay on the field for all three downs would allow Reid to maintain a high-tempo offense without substituting, keeping defenses in unfavorable personnel matchups.

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The consensus among draft analysts, including recent mocks from PFF, has Love landing with the Chiefs at No. 9 overall. For a team that has often picked at the very end of the first round, using a premium pick on Love would feel like a steal.

With Mahomes coming off a 2025 season in which he carried a massive load and endured a devastating injury, a bell-cow like Love wouldn’t just elevate the offense; he would also alleviate much of the heavy lifting Mahomes has had to shoulder in past years.

If Love is wearing a red and gold jersey come September, the Chiefs’ one-year hiatus from domination would quickly come to an end.

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