Chiefs sign former Cardinals RB Emari Demercado to one-year deal
Demercado joins Kenneth Walker III in the Chiefs' new-look backfield
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach isn’t finished adding free-agent players to the roster.
The Chiefs on Thursday night agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado, NFL reporter Jordan Schultz reports. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Demercado took to social media, confirming the transaction.
“Blessed to say the least,” Demercado posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Chiefs kingdom lets get to work!!!!”
The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Demercado’s arrival comes days after the Chiefs agreed to terms with running back Kenneth Walker III on a three-year deal, and Demercado joins Walker and second-year pro Brashard Smith in the backfield.
The signing further represents much-needed depth, especially in light of Isiah Pacheco signing with the Detroit Lions and Kareem Hunt remaining an unrestricted free agent.
Kansas City can still add to the running backs room either through free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft.
Demercado, 27, entered the league in 2023 as an undrafted free agent out of TCU with the Cardinals. He has appeared in 40 career games with two starts, totaling 819 yards and three touchdowns on 126 carries, adding 324 yards receiving and a touchdown on 50 catches.
He also has some experience as a kickoff returner, totaling 150 yards on six attempts.
Meanwhile, Demercado gained notoriety for a lapse of judgement against the Tennessee Titans in Week 5 of the 2025 season.
With the Cardinals holding a 21-6 lead early in the fourth quarter and on a third-and-1 play, he burst free in the open field and was on his way to a 72-yard touchdown run.
Demercado, however, appeared to slow down inside the Titans’ 10-yard line and released the football shortly before crossing the goal line, resulting in a fumble and a touchback after the ball bounced out of the end zone.
The Titans took advantage of Demercado’s miscue — and other Cardinals’ mistakes in the fourth quarter — to roar back for a 22-21 win.