Chiefs Rumors: Former Buccaneers RB Ronald Jones to Agree to 1-Year Contract

The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a one-year contract with running back Ronald Jones II in free agency on Saturday, according to Tom Pelissero.

Jones was a second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent four seasons with the team.

While Jones was a key part of the running game in the two previous years, he fell out of favor in the next one and was behind Leonard Fournette on the depth chart.

Jones was expendable after the Buccaneers signed Fournette to a three-year, $21 million contract in free agency.

In Jones, the Chiefs are getting a running back who has over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in both 2020 and 2019.

Jones set career highs with 31 catches and 724 yards in 2019. In 2020 he had career highs in rushing yards, rushing touchdown, total touchdown, and yards per carry.

Expectations were high entering the campaign because of what Jones did in his first season with Tom Brady.

Despite appearing in 16 games, Jones never really got on track, rushing for . He earned just three starts and took a clear backseat to Fournette because of his receiving ability.

Since two of the Chiefs' key running backs from last season, Darrel Williams and Jerick McKinnon, are free agents, Jones is likely to get more opportunities in KC.

Although he has struggled to stay healthy during his career and has been something of a disappointment since the Chiefs selected him with the final pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft, the top holdover running back on Kansas City's roster, is still a disappointment.

He was limited to just 10 games last season and was limited to 517 yards and four touchdown, while catching 19 passes for 129 yards and two additional scores.

The idea that he could be the do-everything back is based on the fact that he has shown some solid pass-catching skills in the NFL.

The trade of wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins has made it more important than ever for the Kansas City Chiefs to develop a strong running game, and if Jones performs well in 2022, it could take a lot of pressure off quarterback Patrick Mahomes.