The Kansas City Chiefs continue to stay aggressive this offseason—and their latest move could come at the expense of a division rival.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Chiefs have requested permission to interview Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough for their vacant RB coach position. If completed, the hire would mark a reunion rather than a fresh start.

McCullough previously coached in Kansas City from 2018 to 2020, overlapping with Eric Bieniemy’s first stint as offensive coordinator.

Why the Chiefs Are Targeting Deland McCullough

Kansas City’s interest isn’t accidental.

The Chiefs cleaned house at the running backs coach position earlier this offseason, parting ways with Todd Pinkston on January 15 and later moving on from the assistant RB coach after Bieniemy’s return as OC.

The reason was simple: the run game underperformed in 2025. Explosiveness was lacking, big plays were rare, and consistency was an issue.

With Bieniemy—long regarded as a running backs coach at heart—back in the building, it makes sense that Kansas City would look to reconnect with a trusted collaborator.

A Proven Track Record With Bieniemy

During McCullough’s first tenure in Kansas City (2018–20), the Chiefs quietly fielded some of their most efficient rushing attacks of the Patrick Mahomes era.

• 2018: 6th in the NFL in yards per carry

• 2020: Back inside the top 12

• 2021–23: Top-10 rushing efficiency (after McCullough’s departure, but within the system he helped shape)

While the Chiefs were never a run-first team under Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid, the ground game functioned best when Bieniemy and McCullough were aligned.

From College Standout to Raiders Assistant

After leaving Kansas City, McCullough built an impressive résumé:

• Indiana (2021): Associate head coach & RB coach

• Notre Dame (2022–24): RB coach, run-game coordinator, associate head coach

  • Finalist for Top RB Coach in the Nation all three seasons

• Las Vegas Raiders (2025): RB coach, working closely with rookie standout Ashton Jeanty

His development work at Notre Dame particularly caught NFL attention.

Draft Implications: Two RB Prospects to Watch

McCullough’s résumé includes hands-on experience with two potential 2026 NFL Draft targets:

• Jeremiyah Love

  • 1,187 yards, 17 TDs (2024)

  • Widely viewed as a first-round prospect

• Jadarian Price

  • 787 yards, 7 TDs

  • Projected late Round 1 to Round 3 pick

Both players are considered among the most dynamic backs in what scouts view as a thinner RB class—making existing familiarity a potential edge for Kansas City.

Why This Move Matters

If the Chiefs succeed in hiring McCullough, they would:

• Reunite Bieniemy with a trusted RB developer

• Steal a key coach from a division rival

• Align coaching philosophy with potential 2026 draft targets

In short, this wouldn’t just be a staff hire—it would be a strategic move with long-term roster implications.