Spencer Ware will be returning from injury in 2018 and it will only make the Kansas City Chiefs running game even stronger.
With the emergence of rookie running back Kareem Hunt in 2017, it didn’t take fans long to forget about running back Spencer Ware. In fact, many had forgotten about him toward the end of 2016 or during the offseason. When the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Hunt in the 2017 Draft, throwing Ware out became easy for most fans as they wanted to see the new shiny toy.
The biggest argument was that Ware was going to take away carries from Hunt. There are arguments to be made there, and we can speculate what could have happened if Ware hadn’t gone down with a season-ending injury in the preseason. None of that changes what could be the possibilities for the Chiefs running back group in 2018.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Hunt should be the starter for the Chiefs moving forward and receive most of the carries. However, there will still be plenty of carries that can go to Ware as well that went to Charcandrick West this year. West showed to be a good blocking back on passing third downs, but when it came to actually running the ball, he rarely moved the chains.
Substituting West for Ware will increase the productivity of the Chiefs offense immediately. Last yaer was Ware’s first full season as a starting back in his career. He had worked on his versatility in the offseason and OTA’s prior and it showed as he became more of a receiving back as well. He proved this versatility in Week 1 of the 2016 season when he caught 7 passes for 129 yards in the epic comeback against the then San Diego Chargers.
.@SpenceWare11 finds a hole and he is GONE.#NOvsKC #ChiefsKingdomhttps://t.co/TpwVCo7GLv
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 23, 2016
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This play against the New Orleans Saints lining up out wide for a screen shows the versatility of Ware and the threat he brings. It surprised me that the Chiefs never got him the ball through the air more than 3 times in a single game the rest of the season. Before his concussion during Week 8 game against the Indianapolis Colts, Ware was averaging 5.36 yards per rush attempt and 47.5 receiving yards per game. He looked like a completely different back from 2015 to 2016.
Unfortunately, injuries held back Ware and the rest of the Chiefs running backs in 2016. Ware suffered a concussion against the Colts in Week 8 and then rib injuries later in the season. Charcandrick West and Jamaal Charles each had their own concerns, shifting the offense away from the running game. Coming in just shy of 1,000 yards in 2016 and coming up on another contract year, we could see Ware really want to prove himself for another contract in 2018.
With Hunt obviously getting the number one role in 2018 after leading the league in rushing yards in his rookie season, Ware will likely be the number two back. This fits him better allowing him to come in on occasion and for special packages. This also keeps Hunt fresh as the season goes on instead of overworking him too early and not being able to capitalize in the postseason. It keeps both backs healthy throughout the season.
When you take a look at some of the best teams in the league this last year, what do a lot of them have in common? They have a dual running back system if not trio. The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots had numerous running backs that contributed. Not only that but the depth and versatility in the backfield improves the passing game as well.
Going into the 2018 season, I will be really excited about the Hunt and Ware combination just like I was before Ware was injured in the preseason. I think both backs compliment each other well and can bring out the best in one another. Between Ware’s hard-hitting and Hunt’s elusiveness, this will be one of the most dangerous backfields in the NFL in 2018.