Will Chiefs re-sign Jerick McKinnon? GM ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if deal comes soon
The Kansas City Chiefs appear to be on the verge of adding to their running back room with a familiar name.
Jerick McKinnon, who was with the Chiefs the last two seasons, could be re-signing with the team shortly, general manager Brett Veach said Monday.
“Obviously, we have a long-standing relationship with Jerick, and we’ve had communication,” Veach said, “so I wouldn’t be surprised if something got done with him soon.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also reported Monday that the Chiefs were “expected” to re-sign McKinnon, with that deal coming as quickly as Tuesday.
McKinnon was a revelation for the Chiefs in 2022 while primarily splitting backfield duties with rookie Isiah Pacheco. McKinnon combined for 10 touchdowns in the regular season — nine receiving — while earning AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for December.
The 30-year-old McKinnon signed a one-year deal before last season that netted him $1.2 million, according to Spotrac.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs also face a deadline Tuesday on whether to offer running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire a guaranteed fifth year on his rookie contract that would go into effect in 2024. If offered, Edwards-Helaire would make $5.46 million for that add-on pact for 2024.
Veach said the final determination on Edwards-Helaire’s option year would “get addressed here soon.”
“We’re excited, though, for Clyde this season. Actually, he was the first guy I saw in the building today, in tremendous shape,” Veach said. “He’s a good football player. He’s gonna help us out here.”
Veach also was asked about signing Tulsa running back Deneric Prince as an undrafted free agent. The 6-foot, 216-pound back ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
“He’s another talented kid that we’re excited to bring in here,” Veach said. “We’re excited about Isiah’s second year, and obviously he had a breakout season last year. And then potentially adding a guy like Jerick. And then, as I mentioned, Clyde was one of the first guys that I saw in the building today. So we believe in that room.
“It’s a good room. And certainly Prince is going to come in here and compete for playing time and possibly a roster spot there.”
