Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs could land a former rival as their answer at the running back position

As the Kansas City Chiefs begin shaping their roster for the 2026 season, the franchise led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes could explore an intriguing option at running back: newly released veteran Joe Mixon.

Mixon became one of the most notable names on the free agent market after the Houston Texans released the two-time Pro Bowler following a foot injury that wiped out his entire 2025 campaign. According to reports from NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, Mixon requested his release, which Houston processed with a non-football injury designation.

The Chiefs are entering the offseason determined to return to the top of the league after falling short of their championship expectations. With free agency approaching, Kansas City is evaluating multiple roster needs, and the running back position appears to be one of the priorities.

Chiefs are also interested on another RB

According to NFL insider Albert Breer, Kansas City is expected to make a strong push for Kenneth Walker III of the Seattle Seahawks.Walker's profile surged after a dominant Super Bowl performance in which he rushed for 135 yards against the New England Patriots and captured Super Bowl MVP honors, becoming the first running back to win the award since Terrell Davis nearly two decades ago.

If Kansas City is unable to land Walker during the free agency frenzy, Mixon could emerge as a viable alternative for a team looking to add experience and versatility to its offense. The 29-year-old back still brings an impressive résumé.

Mixon ranks seventh among active NFL players with 7,428 rushing yards, while his 60 rushing touchdowns place him among the league's most productive runners of the past decade. He has also proven to be a reliable contributor in the passing game, compiling 2,448 receiving yards and 14 touchdown receptions during his career.

2024 was a great year for Mixon

Mixon's most recent on-field success came during the 2024 season with Houston, when he quickly established himself as the Texans' feature back after arriving from the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite missing time early with a high ankle sprain, he rushed for more than 100 yards in seven of his first nine appearances and finished the regular season with 1,016 rushing yards, 309 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns.

However, momentum from that season disappeared quickly when a foot injury placed Mixon on the non-football injury list at the start of training camp in 2025. The issue proved serious enough that he never returned to the field, forcing Houston to navigate the season with a backfield led by Woody Marks and Nick Chubb.

The Texans' rushing attack struggled in his absence, finishing 22nd in the league and producing only six rushing touchdowns. Houston later addressed the position by trading for David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions, a move that effectively signaled the end of Mixon's tenure with the team. Now entering free agency, Mixon's market will likely depend on how confident teams feel about his recovery.