The Kansas City Chiefs‘ offense has not played up to scratch this season, full stop.
Much of that has been attributed to the lack of dynamism in the passing game, especially given the absences of both Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice to start the season. A trio of Hollywood Brown, Tyquan Thornton and JuJu Smith-Schuster does not exactly feel like a fear-striking combination for AFC defensive coordinators across the country.
But one area of the team that is getting away a little too scot-free is the rushing attack, which has been severely underperforming all year. The team’s leading rusher through three games is Patrick Mahomes, who is the franchise’s only 100+ yard rusher so far.
Kansas City Chiefs’ Running Backs Not Performing As Hoped
Lead back, Isiah Pacheco, is not playing like himself, having run the ball 25 times for 92 yards, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, with no touchdowns.
And veteran backup, Kareem Hunt, has a similar level of efficiency and has been splitting touches with Pacheco in recent games, with the pair getting 10 attempts apiece in last Sunday’s victory at the New York Giants.
So Sportsnaut, Matt Johnson proposes that the Chiefs put themselves out there and make a move for another back to add to – or even head -their committee: Jacksonville Jaguars running back and former first round pick, Travis Etienne.
Chiefs Could Look To Add Speedy AFC Lead-Back Via Trade
“For all of the focus put on the Chiefs’ receiving corps being a big part of the team’s offensive issues this season, it’s the lack of an efficient and explosive ground game that is far more problematic.” Johnson wrote. Entering Week 4, Kansas City ranked 17th in Rush EPA (-0.084) and they have just one run of 20-plus yards on 21 attempts, courtesy of Patrick Mahomes.
Although Etienne is still technically the #1 back in South Florida, Johnson projects that could change in the future, and that the team could well be willing to part with their one-time big investment, who is currently in a contract year.
For the Jacksonville Jaguars, running back Travis Etienne is expendable. Rookie Bhayshul Tuten has already demonstrated that he’s ready to be the featured runner in Liam Coen’s offense. As for passing downs, Jacksonville has fellow rookie LeQuint Allen Jr.”
The compensation Johnson suggests mirrors both Etienne’s short amount of time let on his contract, alongside the potential he could do to boost the team’s efforts.
“In exchange for just over half a season of Etienne, Kansas City gives up a 2026 fifth-round pick and Jacksonville gets to take a flier on corner Joshua Williams.”
A fifth round pick seems about right for Etienne’s services. It was widely speculated that the former Clemson Tiger would be moved prior to the start of the season, but Tank Bigsby‘s departure to the Philadelphia Eagles silenced much of that chatter.
If, as Johnson believes, the Jaguars see Allen and Tuten as their future, the chance to invest in their future and get something back from a fifth year back could be too good to pass up.
And for Kansas City, Etienne may not be the best RB in the entire league, but he adds both competition and substantial pace to the room, as well as being a genuine dynamic threat in both the run and passing game, having caught 137 passes over the course of his career to date.
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