Could a Notre Dame Star Running Back Be the Chiefs Next Draft Pick?
To say that the Kansas City Chiefs had a disappointing season last year would be a pretty sizable understatement. Following an unprecedented run of five Super Bowl appearances in six seasons, Kansas City crashed and burned in 2025, finishing just 6-11 to miss out on the playoffs for the first time since 2014. With a disappointing year, people began to ask what the cause of this sudden downfall was and what needed to be done to get back to the top. One key factor is their offensive struggles in the last few seasons, as they finished just 20th in total yards per game and 25th in rushing yards per game. Certainly not the level you want to be at if the goal is to compete for a championship, and a far cry from the scorching hot offense the Chiefs had in quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ first few seasons. Some of the key reasons for this downswing are the regression of tight end Travis Kelce and the lack of a great running back.
Starting with Kelce, his numbers have been trending down in recent years as he has now gone three consecutive seasons without surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. He was always Mahomes’ most reliable option in Kansas City, but this reliability has slowly diminished as he’s gotten older, and this has caused Kansas City’s offense to suffer. As far as their running back room goes, the Chiefs are in need of some talent. While they have always had a running back by committee approach with players like Damien Williams, Jerick McKinnon, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, they have gone a long time without a true star running back. There was optimism that Isiah Pacheco could fill the role as the clear first option for years to come, but his 462 yards in 2025 should have the Chiefs looking elsewhere. So, who should the Kansas City Chiefs take to become a reliable number one running back and pass-catcher for Mahomes? They may have the answer to both those questions in one player.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love finished his collegiate career by establishing himself as easily the best in the country at his position. In 2025, Love notched a superb 1,372 rushing yards to go along with 18 touchdowns as he earned First-Team All-American honors and finished third in Heisman voting. He also further improved his status at the 2026 NFL Combine with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, the second fastest among running backs. With the Chiefs holding the ninth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, there is a very real possibility that they will have a shot to draft Love and add a much-needed spark to their offense. In an interview with NFL reporter Stacey Dales, he even mentioned the Chiefs as a potential suitor, along with the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants. The runner back also discussed his childhood favorite team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, as a viable candidate. Regardless, Love is going to garner a lot of interest from NFL general managers, and the Chiefs are going to have their work cut out for them if they want him as their next big star.
