The Kansas City Chiefs are on the market for a new running back after Isiah Pacheco’s injury. The 25-year-old fractured his fibula in the team’s Week 2 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. After a promising start to the season, Pacheco is expected to be sidelined at least 6-8 weeks.
The Chiefs brought in former first-round draft choice Kareem Hunt for a visit on Tuesday and was signed to the practice squad. However, the team could look toward another running back who once called Kansas City home.
Can Jerick McKinnon Replace Pacheco After Injury?
Jerick McKinnon spent the previous three seasons with the Chiefs, helping them win two Super Bowls. The 32-year-old hit free agency this past offseason and is still unsigned. McKinnon knows the Chiefs playbook, has a great rapport with Patrick Mahomes, and can be acquired at low risk.
McKinnon was used as a receiver more often than a runner in the Chiefs offense. He was extremely effective in the passing game, catching 15 touchdowns in three seasons and racking up over 500 receiving yards in 2022. McKinnon won’t replace Pacheco’s production on the ground following the injury. On the other hand, he would give the Chiefs a reliable playmaker with a knack for finding the endzone.
Jerick McKinnon probably won’t solve all of the Chiefs’ problems at running back by himself. However, his rapport with Mahomes is unmatched by any other running back on the market. The Chiefs offense will likely have an uptick in passing plays without Pacheco. With Mahomes being asked to create more magic, a reliable target like McKinnon goes a long way.
Should Chiefs Sign Multiple RBs?
Even though the Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt after Tuesday’s workout, adding McKinnon would still be a smart option. Samaje Perine is the only other running back on the active roster heading into Week 3. Carson Steele is technically listed as a fullback, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire is on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list. Signing both Hunt and McKinnon would give the Chiefs much-needed depth in the aftermath of Pacheco’s injury.
Moreover, the current members of the Chiefs backfield create big question marks in this offense. Carson Steele impressed during the preseason but lost a fumble against the Bengals. Meanwhile, the veteran Samaje Perine has struggled in his short time with the Chiefs. The team could activate Edwards-Helaire, but his career has been plagued by inconsistency.
Signing both Kareem Hunt and Jerick Mckinnon would solve several problems for the Chiefs’ running game. It would give them a new thunder and lighting duo with both players being familiar with the offense. It would also allow Steele to focus on fullback duties and give Perine more time to find his role in the offense.
The Long Road Ahead
The Chiefs will face a tough stretch of opponents over the next 8 weeks while Pacheco recovers from his injury. They have a primetime faceoff with the Atlanta Falcons next week, who are coming off an upset over the Philadelphia Eagles. The Chiefs also play three divisional games and face two playoff teams from last year, including a Super Bowl rematch with the San Francisco 49ers. Furthermore, the Monday Night matchup with the New Orleans Saints in Week 5 now figures to be a battle between two of the NFL’s best. The Chiefs do have a bye week in Week 6, so Pacheco may only miss 7 games instead of 8. If Pacheco returns after 8 weeks, it would be against the Buffalo Bills in Week 11.
The Chiefs can’t afford to remain complacent at running back. Isiah Pacheco’s injury creates a glaring weakness in the offense. Carson Steele and Samaje Perine haven’t proven that they can carry the load for this team. Help needs to be brought in, and players who know Andy Reid’s system can immediately fill important roles. Jerick McKinnon fits that description to a tee and has proven that he can contribute to a championship Chiefs offense.
Main Image: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
