E.J. Smith Signs with Chiefs as Undrafted Free Agent

E.J. Smith, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent shortly after the 2026 NFL Draft concluded over the weekend.

The running back, who turns 24 on May 15, announced the deal on Instagram, posting a video of himself celebrating a phone call from team representatives. "Celebrate with your family, you're a Chief," a voice on the line told him, prompting a wide smile. Smith responded, "Yeah, I'm 100 percent healthy, I'm ready to go. I appreciate you, coach." In his caption, he wrote, "Excited to officially sign with the Kansas City Chiefs as a free agent. Nothing is given. Everything is earned. I'm ready to work, learn, and prove myself every single day."

Smith joins a Chiefs backfield that rotates multiple players and has seen significant turnover since 2019. He will compete for a spot on the 53-man roster during training camp under head coach Andy Reid, with opportunities likely on special teams and in depth roles. A notable connection to his father's Dallas Cowboys legacy exists through Kansas City's running backs coach, DeMarco Murray, the franchise's single-season rushing record holder.