Logo

Veteran Commentator Brian Baldinger Recommends Chiefs Trade for 2023 Breakout RB to Rescue Struggling Ground Game

Kansas City, MO – September 18, 2025 — Two opening losses to the Chargers and Eagles don’t doom Kansas City’s season, but they do expose a hard truth: the Chiefs’ run game isn’t pulling the offensive wagon. In that context, veteran commentator Brian Baldinger offers a sharp, simple suggestion: “It’s time to call Cleveland. Bring Jerome Ford to Arrowhead.”

According to Baldinger, Kansas City’s problem isn’t just the numbers — the running back group has produced 94 yards on 28 carries across two games, while Mahomes is the team’s leading rusher. It’s also a rhythm issue: not enough “on-schedule” runs to keep drives alive, too many 2nd-and-10 instead of 2nd-and-6, and not enough safe outlets in the quick game when the pass rush closes in. “You don’t need a home-run back,” Baldinger imagines. “You need someone who guarantees 3–5 yards when you need it and can become Mahomes’ third option in the passing game.”

 
 

Jerome Ford fits that brief. In 2023, he logged 204 carries for 813 yards and 4 TDs, plus 44 receptions for 319 yards and 5 TDs — a two-way skill set that meshes with Andy Reid’s RPO, screen, and angle/choice concepts. In 2024, even with reduced volume, Ford remained effective as a rotational piece (104 carries/565 yards/3 TDs; 37 catches/225 yards). This season, his role in Cleveland has been limited — precisely the leverage point Baldinger thinks Kansas City should exploit: an “idle” asset that can thaw quickly in the right system.

 
Jerome Ford ready to improve as the feature back for the Browns

From a tactical lens, Ford brings immediate value:

  • Early downs: one-cut runs in outside/inside zoneduo, or pin-pull to carve out 4–5 yards and keep drives on schedule.

 
  • 3rd down/two-minute: check-releaseTexas/angle, and screens — reliable outlets that keep Mahomes from having to run as often.

  • Play-action/RPO: a credible run threat forces second-level defenders to step up, opening seams and digs for Kelce and the wideouts.

  •  
     

    On cost, Baldinger notes that midseason RB markets rarely get expensive. A conditional 2026 seventh-rounder — or a similar package — is a price “worth paying to buy a few percentage points of win probability right now.” From a cap standpoint, a mid-tier RB deal is generally easier to absorb than a pricey WR/TE; if necessary, the teams can use retained salary or light restructuring on the Kansas City side.

    Of course, this is not a magic wand. Run-blocking up front, play-calling in key down-and-distance, and perimeter threat at wide receiver remain three pillars that must be tuned in parallel. But in the NFL’s real world, sometimes the right piece in the right place — a back who “sets the tempo” and catches at the right moments — can change the feel of an offense over two or three series, and with it, the color of the entire game.

     
     

    If the Chiefs want to move quickly, a sensible plan would be: negotiate this week, onboard Ford with a limited package (pass pro + screens + basic outside/inside zone) in his debut, then expand as he absorbs the playbook. “You don’t need to rewrite the textbook,” Baldinger concludes. “You just need a steady hand on the wheel to crest September’s steep hill.”

    Comments (0)

    Loading comments...

    Chiefs Superstar Causes Locker Room to Erupt, Cursing Out Chris Jones for a Disappointing Mistake on the Day He Set a Personal Record
    The Kansas City Chiefs arrived in Jacksonville with hopes of turning their season around, but a heartbreaking 28–31 loss to the Jaguars deepened their early struggles. The defeat wasn't just a blow on the scoreboard—it ignited tensions that boiled over in the locker room. The game's pivotal moment unfolded in the final seconds of the fourth quarter. With the Chiefs clinging to a 28–24 lead, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence scrambled on a designed run from the 13-yard line. He stumbled twice without contact, yet managed to regain his footing and dive into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. Defensive tackle Chris Jones, positioned to make the stop, appeared to hesitate, drawing immediate scrutiny for what many called a lack of effort in a do-or-die play. Without that crucial defensive stand, the Chiefs couldn't mount a comeback in the remaining 23 seconds. Jacksonville capitalized on Kansas City's defensive lapses, racking up 31 points and improving to 4–1, while the Chiefs dropped to 2–3 amid growing concerns about their championship defense.   Afterward, Chris Jones addressed the fallout, his voice heavy with regret. "I take full responsibility for that amateur play—sometimes losing is part of life, but having my closest friend yell in my face about it hurts more than anything on the field."     That friend was veteran tight end Travis Kelce, who reportedly confronted Jones directly in the locker room. According to sources close to the team, Kelce, a longtime leader and emotional anchor for the Chiefs, erupted in frustration, cursing at Jones for what he deemed an unprofessional lapse in hustle during the game's defining moment. The outburst was fueled by Kelce's deep disappointment: earlier in the game, he had surpassed Tony Gonzalez to become the Chiefs' all-time leader in receiving yards with 12,394 yards, a historic milestone that should have been a cause for celebration but was overshadowed by the team's stunning collapse and defeat. The exchange stunned onlookers, with teammates describing it as intense and raw, leading to a tense silence broken only by coaches intervening. Players noted Kelce's outburst stemmed from the team's mounting frustrations—offensive struggles without key weapons and a defense failing to close out games. Jones, a defensive captain and Super Bowl hero, sat at his locker afterward, visibly affected, as veterans like Patrick Mahomes attempted to mediate.   For head coach Andy Reid, the incident adds another layer to an already challenging season. Publicly, he minimized the drama, emphasizing unity, but insiders say rebuilding locker room trust is now as vital as shoring up the defense ahead of upcoming matchups. For Chiefs fans, the scene underscores the emotional strain of a sluggish start and internal rifts. If Kansas City aims to chase another title, healing those wounds—both on the field and off—must begin immediately, starting from within their own ranks.