Getty Image / Scott Winters
Heading into the 2022 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield left a lot to be desired.
It was expected to be led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
The former 1st round pick had disappointed since being selected by the Chiefs to join a Super Bowl-winning offense.
Alongside him, the Chiefs had Jerrick McKinnon, who was mostly a receiving back.
They also signed Ronald Jones, who was also a recent early draft pick that didn’t live up to expectations.
Then the team had a bit of a wild card in the backfield. With a 7th round pick in last year’s draft, the Chiefs selected running back Isiah Pacheco out of Rutgers.
It didn’t take long for that pick to pay off as Pacheco became the team’s starter at the position by their 7th game of the year.
By the end of the regular season, Pacheco and McKinnon were getting all of the touches in the backfield.
Heading into his 2nd year, there is no question about the hierarchy in this backfield. The Chiefs will feature Pacheco at running back in 2023.
They just need him to get healthy.
Pacheco has been dealing with a shoulder injury and a hand injury this offseason and required surgery.
Today, Andy Reid wouldn’t rule out the possibility that Pacheco could be added to the physically unable to perform list.
Pacheco had a strong rookie season, running for 830 yards and 5 touchdowns during the regular season. He was also a key part of the Chiefs’ offense in the Super Bowl.
He ran for 76 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries for an average of just over 5 yards per carry.
With this report coming more than a month and a half before the start of the season, it may not mean that Isiah Pacheco will actually miss any time during the regular season for the Kansas City Chiefs, but it is always something to keep an eye on when a running back is dealing with an injury during camp.