The Kansas City Chiefs ended their Elijah Mitchell experiment ahead of the NFL’s Week 16 Sunday slate of games, and it didn’t take long for him to find a new home, as insider Tom Pelissero relayed news of a New England Patriots signing.
“The Patriots signed veteran RB Elijah Mitchell to the practice squad,” Pelissero reported on December 23.
This officially closes the book on Mitchell’s run in Kansas City, as the veteran is unlikely to reunite with the Chiefs at a later date this season.
The Patriots are, of course, one of the AFC’s top teams in 2025. There’s been a total role reversal inside the conference this season, with perennial favorites like the Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals struggling to get going.
On the flip side, a team like New England has been on the rise behind its new head coach and young quarterback. As KC ditches a few failed veterans like Mitchell, don’t be surprised if you see them latch on with Super Bowl contenders.
It’s the way of the league, and now that the Chiefs no longer have use for them, they’ll try to make some sort of impact with a playoff team.
Chiefs’ Elijah Mitchell Signing Never Made Any Sense
GettyElijah Mitchell (right) with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2025 preseason.
Mitchell is a good example of one of the Chiefs’ offseason failures. KC’s current record is no accident.
Have there been obstacles? Absolutely. But there always are, and the Chiefs were not equipped to overcome their obstacles in 2025.
One of those shortcomings was the running back room, which very clearly needed a boost last spring.
Entering an NFL draft that was loaded with talent, many thought it was a near certainty that general manager Brett Veach would add a top-tier running back prospect in round two or three. He also had opportunities to sign proven veterans like Javonte Williams or JK Dobbins for relatively insignificant amounts of money.
Instead, Veach re-signed Kareem Hunt , brought in Mitchell, and spent a seventh-round pick on a pass-catching RB in Brashard Smith .
Needless to say, each move was more lackluster than the next, and here we are in December, wondering why Mitchell, Hunt, and Smith were the best KC could do alongside Isiah Pacheco .
Chiefs Can Right Their Wrong in 2026 After Elijah Mitchell-Patriots News Highlights Poor Decisions
The Mitchell signing was an abject failure. He never really displayed much burst for Kansas City over the summer, and then during the season, he was a healthy scratch most weeks.
In the end, Mitchell was on the field for just 7 offense snaps before the Chiefs finally released him. He did not catch a pass or attempt a carry of the football.
On the bright side, Veach and the Chiefs can right this wrong in 2026. Pacheco and Hunt are free agents, and KC should probably just clean house at the position and look to add more dynamic playmakers.
One such playmaker could be had in round one of the NFL draft , or perhaps the Chiefs will target a veteran like the aforementioned Williams, who’s coming off a career year.
Just like last offseason, Kansas City will have plenty of options at running back, and they must upgrade their RB1 this time around. No ifs, ands, or buts.
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