The running game was a big concern for the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the season. Now, after weeks of struggles, it seems like they might finally be catching some steam. Notably, some of that has to do with Brashard Smith.
The seventh-round rookie has become more of a factor in recent weeks. His pass-catching skills make him a reliable option for Patrick Mahomes, and he just had the best game of his young career in the 31-0 blowout win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7.
Brashard Smith Is Keeping the Right Attitude Despite Recent Success
Nevertheless, he won't let any of that get to his head. Despite the positive momentum and earning Andy Reid's confidence, the rookie knows he hasn't accomplished anything in the league yet, as reported by Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports.
"I'm just doing what I have to do... I'm just doing my job. Staying humble and staying focused and worried about the main thing, which is to win," Smith said.
As much as he'd like to be on the field to get touches out of the backfield, he's also going to keep earning his bread on special teams. When asked about his duties as a kick returner, he had a pretty blunt response:
"You've just got to be ready and wait for the ball. If you're not getting it, you've got to block for your teammates," he said.
That's the type of mindset you want from your young players. That's the culture Andy Reid has built in the locker room, and that 'next man up' mentality leaves the door wide open for Smith, or whoever is working the hardest, to get more playing time going forward.
Kareem Hunt is aging, and he's not very efficient outside of short-yardage situations at this point in his career. Isiah Pacheco is finally looking more like his usual self after a slow start to the season, and he should continue to be the primary ball-carrier going forward.
However, with the Chiefs reportedly not being interested in trading for another running back and Smith's expertise as a pass catcher, he should also be a big factor in what Reid wants to do for the remainder of the season.
The former SMU star just posted career bests in yards from scrimmage (81), carries (14), rushing yards (39), receptions (5), and receiving yards (42) against the Raiders, and he's just getting started.