Jerick McKinnon is in postseason form for KC Chiefs

Running back Jerick McKinnon looks like he’s back in postseason form for the Kansas City Chiefs as the team is in the stretch run.

Last year around this time, no one could have predicted the sort of dynamic production that running back Jerick McKinnon would provide for the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, one year after his red-hot run through the postseason, Chiefs Kingdom is getting another glimpse of a man on fire, a veteran back clearly ready for another strong postseason push.

When the Chiefs signed McKinnon in the spring of 2021, it was a move to add depth and competition behind a high-ceiling rookie in Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The seasons are long in K.C. these days and the backfield has been known to withstand an injury or two most years. McKinnon was a well-rounded player who could provide a spark off of the bench or a solid third-down back if he impressed his new coaches enough.

Fast forward to the stretch run and that’s exactly what the Chiefs got out of McKinnon, at least during the regular season. In 2021, McKinnon finished the year with 169 total yards from scrimmage in 13 games, but the final week of the season gave hints of what might be coming. In just five rushes, he had 24 yards and he caught all three of his targets for another 26. It was only 50 total yards, but it was efficient production and one-third of his season total.

Through three postseason games for the Chiefs last winter, McKinnon looked like a new man. He put up an incredible 315 yards from scrimmage with only 48 total touches—that 6.6 average is good and looks better next to the totals from Edwards-Helaire (4.7), Darrel Williams (5.3), and Derrick Gore (6.1) on the year. He moved the chains on the ground and through the air and finally showed what he can do when healthy for a full season.

This spring, the Chiefs decided once again to bring McKinnon back into the fold on another one-year deal. While his production for most of the regular season this year has been similar to ’21, the team has leaned more on him in the last two weeks and he’s responding in kind with the sort of results that will keep him as a central cog in Andy Reid’s offense.

Last week against the Denver Broncos, McKinnon had 7 catches for 122 receiving yards and 2 scores. On Sunday in a close overtime win over the Houston Texans, McKinnon was responsible for the winning touchdown, his second score of the day after putting up 122 yards from scrimmage total. Given his postseason production from a year ago, he looks like he’s ready to replicate those results.

“It’s a blessing. Some guys go their whole career and never win the division, never make the playoffs … When you have the opportunity to be in this moment, you gotta enjoy it, you gotta cherish it. It’s just a blessing to be here and play on this team,” said McKinnon after Week 15.

McKinnon has been around this block before enough to not take the moment for granted. He’s clearly appreciate of the opportunity he’s been given, but the Chiefs are filled with gratitude as well for a well-rounded running back who has stepped up when the lights are brightest. And there should be more reason to appreciate McKinnon in the games ahead.