Contained within the Kansas City Chiefs' somewhat heartening loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 17 were two plays that told the bigger story of the team's backfield. One spoke to its present, the other, at least hopefully, to its future.
The former, the play that speaks to the present, was actually the Chiefs' second-longest rush of the day. Isiah Pacheco took a handoff, shook off an early tackler, and delivered a 13-yard gain. The positive yardage was needed, and yet fans who watched the play were frustrated because it was also clear that the run should have went for much more. Pacheco's lack of vision, which has always been a problem, led him to run right into the back of his blockers instead of taking it another 10-plus yards.
The latter wasn't a running play, but it came from a back all the same. Rookie Brashard Smith caught a short pass from Chris Oladokun in the red zone and managed to fend off three defenders on his way to the Chiefs' only touchdown. What should have been a modest gain short of the goal line turned into six points thanks to Smith's valiant effort and athleticism.
The first play came from a lead back who has been given the role time and again when the known ceiling there is quite low. The latter came from a seventh-round flyer who has obvious big-play ability yet is given very little runway in a rookie campaign. Therein lies the issue for the Chiefs.
It's the league's worst-kept secret that the Chiefs backfield is lacking in dynamism. General manager Brett Veach was reportedly in trade mode for more help at running back before the year even began. Then at mid-season, the Chiefs had a trade offer for Breece Hall on the table but weren't willing to meet the New York Jets' demands.
A telling contrast between Isiah Pacheco and Brashard Smith underscored why the Chiefs’ stagnant backfield needs a reset.
That means the Chiefs have known for the last four months that Patrick Mahomes didn't have the ground game he deserved and yet nothing was added. Pacheco was still the lead back, when healthy. Kareem Hunt is employed as the effective short-yardage back, and yet the aging rusher was able to rip off a 14-yard run and make defenders miss versus Denver in Week 17. Elijah Mitchell came and went without a chance, and Dameon Pierce is being treated the same way.
After the Chiefs' loss to the Broncos, head coach Andy Reid offered some measured praise for Smith, who also had a game-changing punt return of 44 yards in the fourth quarter, further exhibiting the promise he brings when given a chance.
"He hasn't played a ton of running back, so all of this stuff is good for him. We're moving him all over the place. So he can handle it mentally, first of all, and that's a plus, the way we're using him. The second thing is that he can catch the football as well as run the football, and that helps you out down the road.
"So, listen, he's been, I won't say a pleasant surprise, but he's done a nice job. And then he'll get stronger as he goes here, physically stronger. These guys, they always put on a little bit of weight and strength after their first year, and that will help his game going forward there. Then [there's] the return ability, so you got a chance to see that," said Reid.
Smith is saying and doing all the right things, even though he's often left sitting on the bench while watching a limited offense at work on the field. "I’m blessed to be out there and just happy for the opportunity … [The opportunity] means everything. I feel like I’m a young guy, so I wouldn’t say it’s hard, but it’s not likely for young guys to be playing early on, but just keep on believing in yourself and I feel like I’ll be okay."
With only one game remaining, the Chiefs would help themselves by taking the reins off of Smith against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18. Pacheco is headed for free agency, and the Chiefs need to wipe the slate clean at the position for 2026. Smith will be a part of that since he remains under contract for the next three years, but if K.C. could get a clearer understanding of what he's capable of, that could help them sort the position going forward.