J.K. Dobbins is now a Chiefs

Kansas City, MO – March 25, 2025

The Kansas City Chiefs have added a dynamic new piece to their backfield, signing free-agent running back J.K. Dobbins to a one-year, $5 million contract, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday. Dobbins, who revitalized his career with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, joins the Chiefs as they look to bolster their ground game following a Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dobbins, 26, burst back onto the NFL scene last season after years of injury setbacks with the Baltimore Ravens. In 13 games with the Chargers, he rushed for 905 yards and 9 touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry—a testament to the explosive potential that made him a second-round pick out of Ohio State in 2020. His standout 2024 campaign, which included a 135-yard debut against the Raiders, caught the Chiefs’ eye after they hosted him for a visit in April 2024 but opted to re-sign Clyde Edwards-Helaire instead.

The Chiefs’ running back room has been a revolving door this offseason. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt remain under contract for 2025, but both are set to hit free agency in 2026, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire was waived in December 2024 and signed with the Saints. Elijah Mitchell, signed earlier this month, offers depth, but Dobbins brings a higher ceiling. “J.K.’s speed and vision are elite—he’s a home-run threat every time he touches the ball,” head coach Andy Reid said. “He fits what we want to do.”

Dobbins’ signing addresses a persistent weakness exposed in Super Bowl LIX, where the Chiefs managed just 49 rushing yards against a stout Eagles front. With Pacheco’s bruising style and Hunt’s reliability, Dobbins adds a change-of-pace spark, complementing Patrick Mahomes’ aerial attack. His career 5.