The Chiefs are making a bit of pre-draft news on Friday afternoon, as the team's reportedly signing free agent running back Jerick McKinnon:
McKinnon played in 16 games for the San Francisco 49ers last season, rushing for 319 yards on 81 carries. The 2014 3rd round pick out of Georgia Southern also caught 33 passes for 253 yards and had six total touchdowns. Prior to playing for the Niners, McKinnon spent four seasons in Minnesota, where he ran for 1918 yards with 984 receiving yards as well.
McKinnon signed a four-year, $30 million contract with San Francisco after the 2017 season, but was placed on Injured Reserve after tearing his ACL in September of that year. After another setback from knee surgery forced him to miss the entire 2019 season as well, McKinnon returned in 2020 as a back used primarily in passing scenarios - he finished well behind Jeff Wilson and Raheem Mostert in carries. He and San Fran's front office restructured his contract in the offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2021.