The road from college stardom to NFL stability is often unpredictable and unforgiving. For former Texas Longhorns standout running back Keaontay Ingram, that journey took another tough turn this week, as the Kansas City Chiefs officially released him from the roster. The move came as part of the team’s effort to trim down ahead of OTAs and summer workouts, and while it may not have come as a shock to those closely monitoring the Chiefs’ depth chart, it still serves as a stark reminder of just how difficult it is to make it in the NFL—no matter how highly touted a player once was.
Ingram’s release brings an abrupt pause to a professional career that, at one time, seemed loaded with promise. A former four-star recruit out of Carthage, Texas, Ingram was widely regarded as one of the top running back prospects in the country when he committed to the University of Texas in 2018. He entered the program with high expectations and quickly became an integral part of the Longhorns’ backfield, showing flashes of brilliance during his freshman and sophomore seasons. With his size, vision, and receiving ability out of the backfield, Ingram was the kind of modern running back that NFL scouts love to see. At Texas, he displayed all the tools—balance, acceleration, soft hands, and an ability to make defenders miss in space.
However, the Longhorns’ offense under Tom Herman was inconsistent, and the coaching carousel that followed did little to help Ingram’s development. Injuries, questionable play-calling, and crowded depth charts limited his chances to become the dominant force many believed he could be. After three seasons in Austin, he made the decision to transfer to USC, hoping a change of scenery and a different system would reignite his career.
At Southern California, Ingram did manage to shine once more, rushing for 911 yards and five touchdowns in just 10 games during the 2021 season. His tape from that year was strong enough to get him back on NFL radars. Scouts praised his patience, his ability to read blocks, and his versatility as a pass-catcher. Those attributes helped him earn an opportunity in the NFL when he was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Despite the late-round selection, Ingram made the most of his rookie opportunity, appearing in 12 games and scoring a pair of touchdowns while serving primarily as a depth option behind James Conner. While his touches were limited, his work ethic drew praise from coaches, and he was expected to have a chance to carve out a larger role in Arizona’s offense over time.
But the NFL is a league of short memories and even shorter leashes. With changes to the coaching staff and a new regime looking to reshape the roster, Ingram’s place on the team quickly came under threat. Injuries once again played a part, and with younger backs entering the mix, the Cardinals eventually waived him in 2024. The Kansas City Chiefs signed Ingram shortly thereafter, adding him to a loaded running back room headlined by Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and a group of up-and-comers eager to prove themselves.
For Ingram, Kansas City represented both a fresh start and a daunting challenge. The Chiefs’ offense, built around the brilliance of Patrick Mahomes and the creative mind of Andy Reid, thrives on speed, timing, and precision. While it’s an ideal system for a versatile back, cracking the rotation in Kansas City is easier said than done. With Pacheco firmly entrenched as the starter and the team experimenting with more passing-game weapons at running back, Ingram found himself buried on the depth chart. Despite showing flashes of his potential in training sessions and minicamps, he was ultimately unable to separate himself from the competition.
Now, following his release, Ingram faces an uncertain future. At 24 years old, he still has plenty of tread left on the tires and a body of work that includes nearly 3,000 combined rushing and receiving yards at the collegiate level. His NFL experience, while limited, isn’t negligible, and he’s proven he can contribute on special teams and as a rotational option. For teams in need of depth, especially with injuries inevitable in the preseason, Ingram could very well receive another opportunity down the road. But for now, the path forward will require resilience, patience, and a willingness to stay ready for the next call.
His release also underscores the broader reality facing running backs in today’s NFL. The league has shifted away from the bell-cow back model of the early 2000s in favor of committees, speed-based schemes, and passing-heavy attacks. Even talented runners can struggle to find stable ground unless they bring elite-level speed, durability, or unmatched versatility. For players like Ingram, who bring a well-rounded but not necessarily elite skill set, the climb is steep and the margin for error razor-thin.
Still, those who know Ingram best believe he’s far from done. Former coaches at Texas and USC have long praised his football IQ and maturity. At both schools, he was known as a high-character locker room presence and a teammate who did the little things right—whether that meant staying late after practice to catch balls out of the jugs machine or mentoring younger players adjusting to the college game. Those intangibles don’t always show up on stat sheets, but they matter in professional locker rooms. For a young man who’s faced his share of adversity, the next chapter may be less about explosive plays and more about persistence.
There’s also the possibility that Ingram explores opportunities outside the traditional NFL route. With the growth of alternative leagues such as the UFL and international leagues expanding their presence, more players are turning to those platforms as a way to prove they still belong. For some, like P.J. Walker and Taylor Heinicke, the route back to NFL relevance began outside of it. Ingram may very well consider a similar route if the right opportunity doesn’t materialize immediately.
His story is one that many fans of college football followed closely during his time at Texas. Ingram’s decision to commit to the Longhorns was seen as a major recruiting win at the time, and his early flashes gave fans hope that he would be the next in a long line of great Texas running backs. While he never quite hit the lofty projections, he always played the game the right way—with purpose, with drive, and with a quiet determination that never wavered, even in the face of setbacks.
In some ways, his story is emblematic of the modern football experience. Talent is essential, but it’s often the circumstances around that talent—health, coaching, scheme fit, and opportunity—that determine whether a career soars or stalls. For every first-round pick who blossoms into a superstar, there are dozens of gifted athletes like Ingram who must navigate the harder road, one littered with roster cuts, practice squad assignments, and battles just to make the 53-man roster. It’s a reality that underscores the razor-thin line between success and obscurity at the highest level of the sport.
For now, Ingram returns to the waiting game. While some see release as the end, others see it as a pause—a chance to regroup, refine, and return stronger. Whether his next opportunity comes in the NFL, overseas, or elsewhere, Ingram’s journey is not over. He’s already shown the grit required to bounce back from disappointment, and if history is any indicator, he’ll be ready when his number is called again.
And in the eyes of those still rooting for him—former teammates, coaches, and fans alike—the hope remains that this latest setback is just another chapter in a story that is still being written. Because for Keaontay Ingram, the dream hasn’t died. It’s just taking a different route.