Story by
Chiefs' RBs currently rank worst in key stat of any backfield this century
- Story by
- Chiefs' RBs currently rank worst in key stat of any backfield this century
Chiefs' RBs currently rank worst in key stat of any backfield this century originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Kansas City Chiefs just haven't figured out the running back position this season.
Advertisement
In fact, by one measure, there's never been a worse backfield since 2000.
The Chiefs' mix of Kareem Hunt , Isiah Pacheco (injured), Brashard Smith , Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Elijah Mitchell has lacked explosiveness at a historic rate.
This is what ESPN's Ben Solak shared on X on Monday:
"The 2025 Chiefs currently have an explosive rush rate on RB carries of 2.6% Would be the lowest number for an offense this century if it holds. Just an unacceptable lack of investment in the running game in Kansas City . Scheme and personnel (in my opinion)."
MORE: Why Ashton Jeanty would've been 'perfect fit' for Cowboys
Advertisement
That explosive rush rate stat shared by Solak refers to runs that went at least 10 yards.
So only on one or two carries out of every 50 does a Chiefs running back get double-digit yardage.
That's certainly not an encouraging stat.
The Chiefs definitely had a rough go of it on Sunday. That was in part because of the stoutness of the Denver Broncos ' defense.
Regardless of the reason, though, the Chiefs are now 5-5. They didn't add an RB at the trade deadline. This is the group they've got.
If it doesn't get better, there'll be even more pressure put on Patrick Mahomes not just to throw but also to put his legs to use. At some point, Kansas City may find that it needs a better running game and have nowhere to turn to fix it.
Advertisement
