Mastering an offense and building chemistry with players is an essential formula for a Super Bowl-winning team. The Kansas City Chiefs understand this mindset, and the recent loss of another vital offensive player could affect that game plan.
Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy spoke with reporters on Thursday about the changes in the offense due to Isiah Pacheco’s injury.
“Yeah, it’s certainly a little bit different, but that’s expected; Pops (Pacheco) is doing a good job recovering, and that part of this game is injuries, but we know how much he wanted to be out there,” said Nagy. “But for us football-wise, the Xs and Os part, I think the guys that we have in here now have really been able to get a chance to be in this offense, get some valuable reps, whether it be at training camp or preseason, and now it’s the next man up mentality, and so, you guys know who the guys are that are here.”
With his fierce running style during the season’s first two weeks, Pacheco was often utilized in the passing game. Nagy is focusing on getting the rest of the running back room up to speed while Pacheco recovers.
“For us, the biggest thing is just making sure that we put them in optimum situations and probably don’t try to do too much one way or the other with any of them,” said Nagy. “And understand, too, that it’s a little new to these guys, and that’s OK. We just help them through the process, but there’s a lot of excitement about them, too.”
The Chiefs will likely become a running back by committee unit again while Pacheco is out or until someone stands out from the room.