KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chiefs added another veteran to their backfield stable Saturday, signing free agent Carlos Hyde just one day after the 28-year-old received his release from Jacksonville.
Hyde joins the Chiefs on a one-year deal worth $2.8 million, a source confirmed to Chiefs Digest. Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports first reported the agreement.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who appeared at the annual NFL 101 Awards Saturday, said he's excited to see Hyde come to Kansas City.
“He can do a lot of different things, he can run with power and he catch the ball out of the backfield,” Mahomes said.
The Chiefs expect to enter the offseason season with Damien Williams as their feature back. General manager Brett Veach said the job was Williams' to lose during the NFL Scouting Combine last week. Hyde joins Williams and 2018 rookie free agent Darrel Williams as the only running backs under contract for 2019. Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West are both eligible to become free agents next week.
Mahomes said he hasn't met Hyde yet, but did watch tape of him.
“Tremendous talent, someone I can think can add even another dimension to our offense in that backfield with Damien and Darrel and all those guys,” Mahomes said.
Hyde experienced a step backward in 2018 following back-to-back 900-yard rushing seasons with San Francisco the previous two years. He signed a three-year, $15.25 million free agent deal last offseason with the Cleveland Browns, who traded him to Jacksonville Oct. 19.
Hyde finished the season with 571 yards rushing and five touchdowns in 14 games including seven starts. He netted just 3.3 yards per carry, down sharply from the 4.2 yards per attempt he averaged during four years in San Francisco. He also caught just 10 passes for 33 yards.
His best season came with the 49ers in 2017 when he rushed for 938 yards and eight scores while catching a career-high 59 passes for 350 yards. His best rushing season came in 2016 when he tallied 988 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
The addition of Hyde provides the Chiefs with a cushion entering free agency and the NFL draft. With Hyde on board, Veach shouldn't feel pressured to add another veteran free agent or use one of the team's four draft picks during the first three rounds on a running back.
Offensive lineman Andrew Wylie, who also appeared at the 101 Awards Saturday night, said he “couldn't be more happy” to have Hyde in the fold for 2019.
“That guy puts his head down and hits a hole,” Wylie said. “Great running back, obviously has a reputation in this league. He's an elite player, love that guy.”
