Veteran running back Jerick McKinnon is back for another run with the Kansas City Chiefs. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, McKinnon agreed to a one-year deal with the Chiefs on Monday.
McKinnon played 13 games with the Chiefs in 2021, rushing for 62 yards and catching 13 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. He was more impactful for Kansas City during the postseason, contributing with 142 yards and a TD from scrimmage in a 42–21 wild-card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
McKinnon is expected to continue contributing mostly on the special teams and be in the play for no. 3 on the Chiefs’ depth chart. The 30-year-old is expected to compete with rookie Isaih Pacheco and veteran Derrick Gore for the spot, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Ronald Jones II should go 1-2.
Jerick McKinnon entered the league in 2014 as a third-round selection and spent the first four years of his pro career with Minnesota Vikings. His best campaign with the Vikings came in 2017, when he rushed for 570 yards and three touchdowns while adding 51 catches for 421 yards and two scores in the passing game. This breakthrough season helped McKinnon land a four-year, $30 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018.
Despite high expectations, McKinnon never made the impact he was expected with the 49ers. He was sidelined for the first two years of his contract due to injuries and ended up getting released after a lukewarm 2020 season.
