Chiefs free agent profile: Should the Chiefs bring back Samaje Perine?

Shortly before the 2024 NFL season began, Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach went to work with an unexpected hustle shortly after active roster cuts were due for all 32 teams. The Chiefs had a loaded roster with familiar faces returning in the hopes of a three-peat, but Veach felt there were still plenty of problem areas, especially in terms of depth, and the team ended up importing several new players at the eleventh hour.

From wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to tight end Peyton Hendershot to defensive end Cam Thomas, Veach went to work to shore up the roster for a lengthy season. To the backfield mix, he added Samaje Perine shortly after the Denver Broncos released the veteran back in late August.

How did things go for Perine in Kansas City? Will the Chiefs want him back? With free agency looming for Perine once again, let's take a look at his free agent profile.

Chiefs free agent profile: Samaje Perine, RB

What did the Chiefs expect from Samaje Perine?

When the Chiefs signed Perine, it felt natural due to a couple of issues. First, Clyde Edwards-Helaire was slated to miss the first few games of the season, at least, on the team's NFI list. Second, it felt like the Chiefs never did attend to the loss of Jerick McKinnon after the 2023 season—even though McKinnon was very much available himself.

Perine stepped in as the veteran third-down back who was already familiar with the team having played for the Broncos the previous season (and the Cincinnati Bengals among other teams for the previous seven years. While Perine was getting older, he was a solid pass blocker with impressive hands. The addition felt like an important one next to Isiah Pacheco in the run game.

Perine's production in 2024

For the most part, it felt like things largely turned out as expected with Perine in the Chiefs offense. No one expected him to earn significant carries and he came away with only 20 rushes total on the season for 92 yards and 1 touchdown. He did, however, also earn 28 catches on 35 targets for 322 yards receiving and another touchdown.

Those receiving totals fall right in line with where Perine has produced in years past, but the rushing totals were his lowest since 2019. However, the signing of Kareem Hunt, the presence of Pacheco (at times), and Carson Steele's emergence reduced any need for the Chiefs to lean on him in that way.

The good news is that Perine became a trusted target at pivotal times down the stretch and even helped to ice the game with a key first down late against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship.

Will the Chiefs bring back Perine for another season?

The Chiefs are undoubtedly going to attend to the backfield this offseason because greater impact and dynamism are needed here to help round out an oft-stalled offense. Pacheco's injury history and specific skill set keep him from being the impact three-down back that the Chiefs could use. Instead it feels like a new lead back would allow Pacheco to be a better-used weapon while giving the team a greater punch in the overall ground game.

Still even with a likely bigger investment in the draft, a trusted veteran who can play the third-down role feels important and will be required in some way. The Chiefs waited a bit too long to rid themselves of McKinnon and he was noticeably slower in his final season with the team. This makes it a 50-50 call as to whether the Chiefs want to rely on Perine again as he turns 30 years old.

Free agent prediction for Samaje Perine

It makes sense for the Chiefs to offer Perine a one-year deal at the veteran minimum to, at least, have a predictable floor of security and depth heading into the offseason. Then they can approach any potential draft additions and/or preseason finds with the luxury of not forcing anything. Competition can take things from there and allow Perine to earn his keep for another season