How Isiah Pacheco's Development Gives Chiefs NFL's Most Dangerous Offense
By Joe Summers
Isiah Pacheco's development as a pass-catcher transforms the Chiefs' offense, allowing a layer of unpredictability that gives Patrick Mahomes a wealth of options to utilize.
With the Chiefs taking on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7 with an opportunity to take an insurmountable lead in the AFC West, Pacheco's expanding role adds a new layer to Kansas City's aerial attack.
Jerick McKinnon was the dangerous backfield weapon last year, but what does it mean for the offense if Pacheco takes the reins?
How Pacheco Makes Chiefs Offense League's Best
The seventh-round rookie seems to have evolved his game, developing in the passing game to equal his impact on the ground.
Through six weeks, Pacheco already has more targets (19), receptions (17), and receiving yards (135) than he did all of last season. The Chiefs are making it a priority to involve him in the passing game, adding a layer of unpredictability to the offense that other players cannot provide.
Jerick McKinnon has been Kansas City's most effecitve pass-catching running back, but Pacheco's growth gives Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes an ability to play poker.
In just 6 games Isiah Pacheco has already set his career high in receiving yards. A major part of this is his improvement in pass protection.
— Price Carter (@ArrowheadPrice) October 16, 2023
Last year this would not have looked so easy for him. #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/IzMP4NRO0F
Pacheco could run down your throat OR catch a swing pass in the flat. In either case, he's getting a positive play and at least five yards.
Through six weeks, Pacheco averages over 22 receiving yards per game. Against a Chargers defense that allowed 81 receiving yards on eight catches to Josh Jacobs two weeks ago and 80 yards on six receptions to Tony Pollard on Monday Night Football, Pacheco has an opportunity to officially stamp himself as one of the league's best all-purpose backs.
At the very least, his versatility adds a new dimension to the offense. If McKinnon is on the field, defenses know to prioritize the passing game. If Pacheco is out there? Who knows.
For Chiefs fans ready to plan another parade, Pacheco evolving into a weapon for Mahomes might be the most important development we've seen so far this season.
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