Former TCU RB Emari Demercado signs 1-year deal with Kansas City Chiefs

INGLEWOOD, CA - JANUARY 04: Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado #31 carries the ball in the second half of an NFL game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Rams on January 4, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA. (Photo by Greg Fiore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed former Arizona Cardinals running back and TCU standout Emari Demercado to a one-year deal. Demercado, who will likely work behind newly-signed running back Kenneth Walker III, spent three seasons with the Cardinals. The 5-foot-9, 215-pounder posted 126 carries for 819 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and three touchdowns over 40 games played in Arizona. He's caught 50 passes for 324 yards and a score.

Blessed to say the least...Chiefs kingdom lets work!!!! https://t.co/tpUwU2tmca

- Emari Demercado (@Money_E3) March 13, 2026

Demercado was a reliable backup behind James Conner throughout his three-year stint with the Cardinals. He'll now join Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Andy Reid in Kansas City. At TCU, Demercado rushed for 1,615 yards and 10 touchdowns on 338 carries (4.8 yards per carry) over five seasons. The 27-year-old played in 51 games and was a key contributor out of the backfield in TCU's run to the national championship in 2022.