The Kansas City Chiefs' running game has been a major concern for most of the season. Although they're averaging the 12th-most rushing yards per game (121.2) as of Monday morning, 26.1% (285) of the Chiefs' 1,091 rushing yards on the season have come from quarterback Patrick Mahomes' unscripted runs, highlighting how anemic the running back room has been.
That's not a recipe for long-term success, and the Chiefs need to find some balance on offense and establish the run to get and maintain control of the game. That's why veteran RB Isiah Pacheco's performances have been so disappointing this season, and the status quo continuing will likely spell the end of his time in Kansas City.
Isiah Pacheco's Time with Chiefs Likely Nearing an End
Pacheco entered the season as the Chiefs' undisputed starter, but he's been a shell of himself since he suffered that gruesome leg injury last season. He's lost his explosiveness and the signature aggressiveness he usually had to wreak havoc between the tackles.
On top of that, he's recently suffered another multi-week injury, and while head coach Andy Reid claimed that he wouldn't be out for the long run, this is far from ideal in a contract year. He has now missed 14 games since the start of the 2023 campaign.
Pacheco has the third-worst overall Pro Football Focus grade among half-backs this season (55.2), and he's rushed for just 329 yards and one touchdown on 78 carries in eight games. That's an average of roughly 41.1 yards per game, which is far from what one would expect from a starting running back on a Super Bowl contender. And it's not like he's been much of a factor in the passing game, catching only 11-of-17 targets (64.7%) for 43 receiving yards and a score.
The Chiefs have also made an emphasis on getting Kareem Hunt involved, but he's mostly used in short-yardage situations or goal-line plays. Also, if he cannot beat 30-year-old Kareem Hunt for touches, maybe he's not the type of player the Chiefs need right now.
That's without mentioning rookie RB Breshard Smith, who's a versatile hand (even though his production and usage hasn't been consistent).
The fact that general manager Brett Veach tried to trade for New York Jets RB Breece Hall shows that he's not satisfied with the current running back corps. And while he shouldn't have low-balled the Jets at the trade deadline, there's a big chance that the Chiefs will resume their pursuit of Hall once free agency starts. That spells trouble for Pacheco, who is on an expiring contract and was already looking like an afterthought before falling with another injury.
That being said, there's still one half of the regular season to be played, and if Pacheco turns back the clock and proves that he's still the same explosive tackle-breaker he was a couple of years ago, the Chiefs could still bring him back on a short-year, 'prove it' type of contract. Still, that seems like a long shot based on how the 26-year-old's season has unfolded so far.