The Chiefs aren’t accustomed to chasing. The AFC West has been its own playground for over ten years. With Patrick Mahomes turning potential opponents into yearly punching bags. But, following a failed attempt at a three-peat and a lacklustre ground game that finished 23rd in rushing yards per game during the previous season, rumours have begun to circulate: ‘Has the magic run dry?’
Brett Veach and Andy Reid heard them clearly. Despite adding Elijah Mitchell and re-signing Kareem Hunt, it’s clear Kansas City isn’t content with running it back on autopilot. The Chiefs must change or risk losing ground to AFC West teams. Who are loading up in the draft with elite running back talent? And as Kansas City was beginning to calm down again, the head coach personally joined a late pre-draft Zoom call that’s currently making waves around the league.
The Kansas City Chiefs are conducting their final round of evaluations in preparation for the 2025 NFL Draft, and Reid is right in the thick of things. The most telling pre-draft rumour to date was revealed by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: “The #Chiefs conducted a virtual call with Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson on Tuesday. Head coach Andy Reid was part of the call. Henderson is considered a riser, and the Chiefs, who could be looking for more explosion in the backfield, are doing late homework on the position.” Now, when Andy Reid personally joins a virtual meeting with a prospect, it’s not a courtesy call—it’s a signal flare.
TreVeyon Henderson, the Ohio State running back with a blistering 4.43 speed, is no slouch. In 2024 alone, he racked up 1,016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging a stunning 7.1 yards per carry. Over his career? A jaw-dropping 48 total touchdowns.
The #Chiefs conducted a virtual call with Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson on Tuesday. Head coach Andy Reid was part of the call.
Henderson is considered a riser, and the Chiefs, who could be looking for more explosion in the backfield, are doing late homework on the position. pic.twitter.com/39wIeWH9uP
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 23, 2025
Henderson is not simply a stat sheet filler, he is a dream come true. Literally. Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated explained it this way: “In this dream scenario, the Chiefs get it all and draw a collective head shake from the rest of the league for getting Henderson in the second round after taking one of the top tackles at the end of the first. An improved offensive line with explosive playmakers such as Henderson and 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy could be enough to give Patrick Mahomes a dominant offense again.” Henderson dropping to the second round would be Kansas City’s dream draft scenario, enabling the Chiefs to select a top offensive lineman at No. 31 and then double-dip with the draft’s most explosive back.
A Mahomes-Henderson backfield that brings explosive balance to the Chiefs’ offence. Especially with Andy Reid approaching Henderson like a coach spotting his next weapon. This potential pairing isn’t happening in a vacuum either. Young running backs are in high demand in the AFC West. Mock drafts have connected Quinshon Judkins to the Chargers, and some projections place Ashton Jeanty of Boise State with the Raiders. And Henderson even met with the Broncos. Reid isn’t standing by and observing the division’s arms race. He is personally stepping in. Because he knows what a back like Henderson could mean. Not just 1,300 scrimmage yards and double-digit touchdowns, but the kind of dual-threat back who can block for Mahomes, break a game open, and keep AFC West rivals chasing shadows.
If the board falls Kansas City’s way and Andy Reid lands the 48-touchdown machine he just interviewed, the Chiefs will once again leave the rest of the league shaking their heads in disbelief.
Andy Reid eyes the exit plan as Isiah Pacheco’s future is uncertain
Of course, Andy Reid’s interest in TreVeyon Henderson is not unexpected. It was somewhat influenced by Isiah Pacheco, who looms large over the current Chiefs’ backfield. Due to a fractured fibula, the once-explosive seventh-round steal missed the majority of 2024 and ended the season with just 310 running yards and one touchdown on a weak 3.7 yards per carry. Even when he returned, Pacheco wasn’t the same guy. He lost to Kareem Hunt in the playoffs, and the Chiefs noticed.
Now entering the final year of his rookie contract, Pacheco’s future in Kansas City is anything but certain. Reid and GM Brett Veach haven’t extended him. And reports suggest they won’t, not unless Pacheco proves he can stay healthy and effective. It’s a cautious and business-savvy move. Especially for a team navigating tight salary cap waters and still fresh off a failed three-peat campaign.
Increasing the uncertainty? Other offseason actions taken by Kansas City. Elijah Mitchell was added. Hunt was re-signed. And other running backs like Damien Martinez and Jacory Croskey-Merritt visited the Chiefs before the draft. In short, Reid is casting a wide net, which says it all. The Chiefs aren’t just looking to add depth—they want to hit the reset button in the backfield. And if they trade Pacheco to a team like the Bears for mid-round draft capital in a pre-draft deal, nobody will be surprised.
Not that Andy Reid doesn’t appreciate Pacheco’s contributions. He does. Reid, however, is equally aware that you cannot afford to carry underperforming or injury-prone players at premium positions in the NFL today, particularly with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Not when you’re aiming for another chance at the Lombardi and your tenth consecutive AFC West title.
So yes, Andy Reid is cooking again. And if the virtual meeting was a preview. The next step might be making TreVeyon Henderson the newest member of the Chiefs’ offense. That’s quietly getting ready to evolve. Whether Pacheco is part of that future or not is still up in the air. But Reid is already scouting the next wave.
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