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Former California running back Jaydn Ott is signing with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Kansas City Chiefs are signing another running back after an offseason of change at the position, as there was news that former California and Oklahoma RB Jaydn Ott is joining KC as a post-NFL draft UDFA.

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero relayed the signing on the evening of April 25, stating that “former Oklahoma RB Jaydn Ott is signing with the Chiefs, per source.”

NFL insider Jordan Schultz also reported this signing on X, along with Pelissero.

Ott rushed for over 1,300 yards with California in 2023 and looked like a future NFL draft pick. Unfortunately, Ott suffered an ankle sprain in 2024 and a shoulder injury in 2025.

Despite appearing in 17 games in those two seasons combined, Ott failed to replicate his 2023 campaign over the following two years. He totaled over 600 scrimmage yards in 2024 with California, but only managed 385 yards on the ground.

In 2025, Ott transferred to Oklahoma and had a miserable season, posting just 78 yards from scrimmage.

Durability Concerns Made Chiefs UDFA Signing Jaydn Ott a ‘Perplexing’ NFL Draft Evaluation

According to The Athletic’s scouting expert, Dane Brugler, Ott was a four-star recruit out of high school and ranked 23rd in the 2022 running back class. He was also the No. 23 recruit in California.

Ahead of the NFL draft, even Brugler admitted that “Ott is a perplexing evaluation, because his underclassman tape shows an NFL player, but his junior and senior seasons can’t be ignored.”

“A muscled-up athlete, [Ott] is a pick-and-slide runner and has explosive acceleration to create big plays once he finds a clear rush track,” the draft scout noted. “He doesn’t have an ideal frame for between-the-tackles work and can be dinged up.”

Clearly, this occurred a lot at the collegiate level, as Ott was “dinged up” more often than not. Perhaps, based on the results, that impacted his performance in 2024 and 2025.

As a runner, Brugler describes Ott as a “bursty, one-cut runner, with the versatility to add value on third downs and special teams as a kick returner.”

The big fear when it comes to Ott, and most likely the reason the Chiefs UDFA was not drafted, is that NFL teams are “wary of his durability and toughness.” Brugler warned that those fears could cause teams to “look elsewhere” in the draft, and it very well may have.

The Chiefs Are Taking Both the Quality & Quantity Approach at Running Back With the 2026 News

The Chiefs have spared no expense on the running back position in 2026. General manager Brett Veach has also made it clear that Kansas City plans to lean on the run game more this season than in years past.

That started with the decision to bring back former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who made a name for himself as a running backs coach.

From there, the Chiefs obviously spent big money on Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker. Then, veteran change-of-pace back Emari Demercado was signed behind him. They also drafted pass-catching back Brashard Smith last offseason.

It didn’t end there, however.

In the NFL draft, Kansas City was happy to snatch up one of the top-ranked RBs in the 2026 class in round five, selecting Nebraska half-back Emmett Johnson. Brugler ranked Johnson 4th for the entire class, compared to Ott’s 2026 RB rank of 21.

Ott and Terion Stewart were then signed as undrafted free agents, with the Chiefs moving on from players like Isiah Pacheco, Carson Steele, Dameon Pierce, Elijah Mitchell, and — most likely — veteran free agent Kareem Hunt.

Needless to say, the Chiefs have orchestrated a total overhaul at the position. Hopefully, the RB moves will help quarterback Patrick Mahomes as he works his way back from knee surgery.