According to multiple reports, the Kansas City Chiefs have recently inquired about the availability of Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack. The rumors began swirling just two weeks after reports emerged that Mack and Colts had mutually agreed to part ways, and just days after Chiefs starting running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire suffered an MCL sprain that will keep him out of action for several weeks.

Mack impressed in Indianapolis’ Week 5 primetime loss to the Baltimore Ravens by rushing for 47 yards on just five carries, and his encouraging performance couldn't have occurred at a more opportune time. The perfect trade candidate may be emerging from the shadows in Kansas City.

Kansas City should give serious consideration to acquiring Mack. No, he's not going to help improve a defense that's giving up the most points per game in the league (32.6), but he sure can help an offense that needs to be near-perfect on a weekly basis to overcome their dreadful defensive counterparts.

The Chiefs aren't afraid to acquire running backs mid-season, as proven by their October 2020 addition of Le'Veon Bell. Adding Mack via trade would give the Chiefs some much-needed insurance while Edwards-Helaire spends time healing an injury on the sidelines.

General manager Brett Veach is clearly considering making amendments to his running back room and moved quickly to add veteran ball-carrier Elijah McGuire to his practice squad on Tuesday afternoon. The former Louisiana standout was always a likely addition given his familiarity with Andy Reid's playbook after spending parts of the 2019 and 2020 campaigns in Kansas City. But McGuire and his pedestrian 3.3 yards per carry career average isn't going to truly move the needle forward. A proven 1,000-yard rusher like Mack would represent the ideal addition for an offense that just unexpectedly lost its No. 1 ball-carrier for the foreseeable future.

While the Chiefs continue to navigate what to make of life without Edwards-Helaire as they prepare to enter a crucial stretch of their season, they'll turn to Darrel Williams as their new RB1. It's a big opportunity for Williams, who has typically been utilized as a third-down playmaker throughout his time in Kansas City. Veach would be wise to pair Williams with a tried and tested ball-carrier that is better suited to handle early-down duties. Mack is the perfect candidate.