The Kansas City Chiefs head into the 2023 NFL offseason with some big decisions to make in free agency. Fresh off of Super Bowl LVII, they have plenty of key contributors looking for a payday. Others might value the winning they’ve done with the Chiefs instead.
Jerick McKinnon was a pleasant surprise for Kansas City during the 2022 NFL season. After undergoing offseason surgery, McKinnon re-signed with the team on a one-year deal in mid-June. During the win-or-go-home games the year prior, McKinnon recorded 48 touches for 315 yards and a touchdown, proving himself as someone who could step in and be successful in Andy Reid’s offense.
McKinnon had a bit of an acclimation period this season, but by Week 5 he began making regular contributions as a runner, pass protector and pass catcher. With Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Mecole Hardman on injured reserve from the middle of the season onward, the Chiefs needed someone to step up in the red zone.
McKinnon made NFL history, becoming the first running back in the Super Bowl era (since 1970) to record a touchdown reception in six consecutive games. He earned AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for December and January.
When the playoffs came around, McKinnon earned one of the team’s six spots as a team captain. He wasn’t quite as effective as a pass catcher and runner during the playoff run, but his pass-blocking was vital as always.
So will McKinnon be back in Kansas City again in 2023?
The team could certainly use him with only three players — Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Isiah Pacheco and La’Mical Perine — under contract at running back position for the upcoming season.
Over The Cap projects that McKinnon will earn an annual salary of $4 million in 2023. He earned $1.035 million in 2022 with the Chiefs, and the year prior, the team used the veteran salary benefit to sign McKinnon.
A recent report from NFL Network’s James Palmer suggests that even in the twilight of his career, loyalty might come into play for McKinnon re-signing in Kansas City. Palmer said McKinnon confided in him that the Chiefs were the only team interested in his services after his time in San Francisco.
“Two years ago, when he was leaving San Francisco, he thought his career was over,” Palmer said of McKinnon. “He got one phone call, and that was from Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to bring him in.”
If the 31-year-old running back gets other offers in free agency, there’s no doubt that he’ll weigh those options. However, becoming a Super Bowl champion with the only team that believed in you just might give Kansas City the edge.
