Chiefs Free Agency 2023: KC reportedly bringing back Jerick McKinnon
The December-January AFC offensive player of the month is staying home.
Running back Jerick McKinnon, who had nine total touchdowns during that stretch, is “expected to re-sign” with the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The #Chiefs are expected to re-sign RB Jerick McKinnon, whose re-emergence has been a revelation for KC. He gained 803 yards from scrimmage last year, the second-highest total in his career, with 10 TDs.
GM Brett Veach alluded to this possibility with reporters just now. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 1, 2023
As mentioned by Rapoport, Veach discussed the soon-to-be-31-year-old during his post-draft Zoom call with local Kansas City media.
“We have a longstanding relationship with Jerick,” said Veach. “We’ve had communications, so I wouldn’t be surprised if something got done with him soon.”
Kansas City added to the room following the draft by reportedly signing former Tulsa running back Deneric Prince.
“He’s a guy that we’re excited about,” said Veach of the 6-foot, 219-pound Prince. “He’s a big kid that could really run. He ran one of the fastest 40 times at the combine. He’s done a good job over the years of working on the pass game. So he’s, again, another talented kid that we’re excited to bring in here, and we’re excited about Isiah [Pacheco’s] second year — obviously, he had a breakout season last year — and potentially adding a guy like Jerick.”
McKinnon rejoins a room that still includes 2020 No. 32 overall pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chiefs have until Tuesday to enact the fifth-year option for the 24-year-old running back.
“With the draft just being over now, that’s another thing that will get addressed here soon,” said Veach. “We’re excited for Clyde this season — actually, he was the first guy I saw in the building [Monday], in tremendous shape. He’s a good football player, he’s going to help us out here. Again, with these guys, we have a list of things to do with a bunch of these guys, and now that the draft has officially ended, in the next coming weeks, now is the time that we go through all that stuff and start making out plans for the future.
“Needless to say, we’re excited to have him back in the building [Monday] — and look forward to hopefully a healthy 2023 campaign for him.”
Pacheco (960), McKinnon (803) and Edwards-Helaire (453) combined for 2,216 scrimmage yards in 2022. McKinnon led the backs with 10 touchdowns, followed by Edwards-Helaire with six and Pacheco with five.
At least for now, it sounds like the trio is back together for 2023.
Source: Arrowhead Pride
