Three takeaways from KC Chiefs Week 2 snap counts
By Jacob Milham
The large gap between RB2 and RB3
Kansas City’s running back solution in 2022 is less by committee than expected. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the lead back on rushing plays, and Jerick McKinnon is more likely to see action on passing plays. As simple as that. McKinnon narrowly out-snapped Edwards-Helaire against the Chargers, but that can be attributed to playcalling. The Chiefs ran 36 passing plays to only 18 rushing plays against the Chargers.
The wildcard entering Week 2 was rookie running back Isiah Pacheco. He logged 16 snaps against the Cardinals in Week 1, leading the team in rushing yards and carries. Fans, especially those who saw the preseason hype, thought maybe this was a changing of the guard at running back. But, that possibility came crashing down to earth after Pacheco’s Week 2 performance.
Sure, two rushes for six yards is not terrible for a rookie seventh-round selection. However, considering that Pacheco failed to gain a pivotal first down in the second quarter, then disappeared, it is telling. Pacheco has a short leash in the Chiefs’ game plan, unlike McKinnon and Edwards-Helaire. Pacheco only played five snaps against the Chargers. That does not inspire confidence in his season-long fit in the Chiefs’ running back rotation.