Kansas City Chiefs helmet (Photo by KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs have released a veteran running back in a surprise move, according to a report.

Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, the Kansas City Chiefs have released 26-year-old running back La’Mical Perine. The former Florida star spent each of the last two seasons with Kansas City, winning a pair of Super Bowl Rings in the process.

The New York Jets drafted Perine in the fourth round (120th overall) in 2020. In his rookie season, he rushed for 232 yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries and added 11 receptions for 63 yards.

Perine saw just eight carries (31 rushing yards) in his 2021 sophomore season before his release ahead of the 2022 campaign. He spent 2022 on the Philadelphia Eagles’ and Miami Dolphins’ practice squads but never played a game for either team.

Perine was added to Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad during the 2022-23 postseason. He won his first Super Bowl when the team defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on a last-second Harrison Butker field goal.

He saw 22 carries for the Chiefs during the 2023 regular season, rushing for 77 yards. He didn’t get a single carry in the playoffs, but Perine was granted a Super Bowl championship ring as a member of the roster.

Kansas City Chiefs Have Adequate Running Back Depth

The Kansas City Chiefs have a workhorse running back in Isiah Pacheco, who has surpassed 800 yards rushing over each of his first two NFL seasons. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the team’s 2020 first-round pick, is a safe insurance option behind Pacheco.

And if the Chiefs have to go further down the depth chart, ex-Arizona Cardinal Keaontay Ingram would be an intriguing option after starring at Texas and later USC.

Kansas City has always featured great running backs under legendary head coach Andy Reid. Simply put, it doesn’t at all matter who’s in the backfield as long as Patrick Mahomes is behind center.