Jerick McKinnon, once a strong presence in NFL backfields, finds himself at a crossroads in his career. After an injury-plagued 2023 season and sitting out entirely in 2024, the veteran running back’s future in the league is unknown. With the rosters filled with both seasoned veterans and fresh talent, McKinnon’s path back onto the field is narrowing.
A Look at Whether Jerick McKinnon Will Play With the Chiefs Again
Jerick McKinnon, who began his NFL career after being drafted in 2014, has spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, and most recently the Kansas City Chiefs. His tenure with the Chiefs, from 2021 to 2023, proved particularly fruitful, as he helped the team capture back-to-back Super Bowl championships. While injuries limited his playing time, McKinnon contributed in important moments, including plays during the Chiefs’ 2023 Super Bowl run against the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite these accomplishments, McKinnon did not suit up for any games in 2024. His absence from the field, combined with the influx of new running back talent from the 2025 NFL draft, has left his name largely absent from free-agent discussions. The Chiefs, for example, have turned to familiar faces and fresh options to bolster their backfield.
After dealing with injuries to Isiah Pacheco last season, the team brought back Kareem Hunt and added Elijah Mitchel, a former San Francisco 49ers running back, while also drafting Brashard Smith from SMU in the seventh round, according to arrowheadaddict.com. These moves signal that Kansas City might have moved on from McKinnon, closing the door on a potential return to the team.
At this stage, McKinnon faces stiff competition if he hopes to continue his NFL career. Established running backs such as Gus Edwards, Nick Chubb, Jamaal Williams, Jeff Wilson and JK Dobbins remain available on the market as well, so missing another training camp would likely mean the end of McKinnon’s time on the field.
Financial concerns are unlikely to motivate him to return, as McKinnon has earned more than $23 million over his career. Instead, the question is one of opportunity and desire to extend a career that has already seen remarkable achievements. McKinnon’s legacy remains secure, particularly with Chiefs fans, for his underrated contributions and championship pedigree
For now, Jerick McKinnon appears to be in a holding pattern, with no team publicly pursuing him and limited options available. While a surprise signing cannot be completely ruled out, the signs point to low likelihood of another season in the league.