The Chiefs are rolling, sitting pretty at 13-1. But even with Mahomes at the helm, this team has shown some cracks in the armor this season. They’ve been winning games, sure, but it’s been closer than usual, and the offense hasn’t been quite as explosive as we’ve come to expect.
And you know what? It might be time for the Chiefs to make a bold move in the backfield.
Isaiah Pacheco, the seventh-round gem who burst onto the scene in 2022, has been a solid contributor for the Chiefs. But his production has dipped this year. He’s averaging just 3.9 yards per carry, down from his previous two seasons. Plus, he’s battled injuries, missing a good chunk of the season.
Now, he’s back from injury, but he’s splitting carries with Kareem Hunt. And with Pacheco turning 26 next year and heading into free agency, the Chiefs might be looking to get younger and more dynamic at the running back position.
Enter Ashton Jeanty.
This kid is a beast. He just finished second in the Heisman voting and has been tearing it up in college. He’s a powerful runner with great vision and the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s the kind of game-changer who could add a whole new dimension to the Chiefs’ offense.
Now, some folks might be worried about Jeanty’s workload in college. He’s had a lot of carries, and there are questions about how that will translate to the NFL. But the Chiefs have a knack for finding talent late in the draft, and they’re not afraid to trade up to get their guy.
Remember how the Lions moved up for Jahmyr Gibbs? The Chiefs could pull off a similar move to snag Jeanty. He might slip a bit in the draft due to concerns about his workload and the level of competition he faced in college, but that could work in the Chiefs’ favor.
If Jeanty is there late in the first round, don’t be surprised if the Chiefs make a play for him. He could be the perfect complement to Mahomes and Kelce, giving the Chiefs a truly unstoppable offense.
It’s a bold move, but the Chiefs have never been afraid to shake things up. And with Pacheco’s future uncertain, Jeanty could be the next star running back in Kansas City.
