The Kansas City Chiefs added a familiar face to the backfield last week.
The Chiefs re-signed RB Jerick McKinnon on a one-year deal after letting him sit on the open market in free agency for the majority of the offseason. McKinnon returns to Kansas City after appearing in 13 regular-season games and starting three postseason games for the Chiefs last season.
Speaking to reporters at the conclusion of mandatory minicamp, Andy Reid explained the decision to bring McKinnon back into the fold.
“You can’t have enough running backs,” Reid said. “I think we know that. Particularly experienced ones. We felt like he still had juice left, which is important when you’re dealing with veteran players, especially at that position.”
McKinnon posted 48 touches for 315 yards and a receiving touchdown last season, with most of that production coming in the playoffs. The team values his experience, ability and leadership. He stepped up at a time when the Chiefs didn’t have many other options. McKinnon still being available in June made the decision to sign him an easy one for Kansas City.
“He’s very intelligent, he’s great in the pass-game part of it, pick-ups and so on, and he’s a good runner,” Reid explained. “And he’s a very good leader, he brings that with him too.”
Brett Veach added Isiah Pacheco in the draft and signed Jerrion Ealy and Tayon Fleet-Davis in undrafted free agency. McKinnon won’t just be handed the keys to a roster spot over those three new players, though. He’ll compete with them and he could very well help those players develop too.
“It’s good to have back in the mix,” Reid said. “It’ll be competitive though. I think Brett’s (Veach) done a real nice job just bringing in competition and that will help us down the road becoming a better football team.”
