The Kansas City Chiefs’ biggest issue on offense has been getting the rushing attack going in 2025, and ahead of a challenging Week 4 matchup with the run-heavy Baltimore Ravens, that could be a major problem on Sunday.
So, what can the Chiefs do to potentially jumpstart the ground game? One option is to trade for a more dynamic and explosive upgrade over Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, but that doesn’t help KC in Week 4.
Against the Ravens, an overwhelming percentage of fans would like to see rookie Brashard Smith get more playing time, according to a recent Arrowhead Pride poll of KC supporters.
On September 26, Arrowhead Pride revealed that 88% of Chiefs fans who completed their Week 4 survey would like Smith to be utilized more on Sundays.
The Chiefs‘ ability to run the ball effectively has been a hot topic of conversation during the season’s opening weeks,” Arrowhead Pride editor John Dixon noted underneath the results. Adding: “Almost nine in 10 fans are ready to see what the team’s rookie running back can do.”
Advanced Rushing Metrics Show Chiefs RBs Isiah Pacheco & Kareem Hunt Have Not Been Good Enough Heading Into Week 4
This isn’t an offensive line issue for Kansas City; it’s a running back issue. And the fans seem to understand that, too.
If you look at the advanced rushing metrics for all NFL running backs on Pro Football Focus, Pacheco and Hunt rank very poorly compared to others around the league.
PFF has a signature stat called “elusive rating,” which measures “success and impact of a runner with the ball independently of the blocking.” It is arguably one of the most important singular RB metrics that does not take into account O-line play, and Pacheco and Hunt rank outside the top 40 in this area.
Pacheco’s elusive rating is a disappointing 28.1, ranking 44th overall, while Hunt’s is a putrid 18.7 (ranked 54th overall). For context, the most “elusive” running backs in the game currently have a rating over 150.0, but your average high-quality RB will have a rating over 85.0.
Pacheco and Hunt aren’t even close to average in this regard.
Even worse, both have been credited with zero “breakaway” rushing yards this season. Which, according to PFF, is defined as “rushing yardage on designed attempts more than 15 yards.”
So, the Chiefs have basically been shut out in this area, displaying a clear lack of explosiveness.
Finally, Pacheco has a subpar “yards after contact” average of 2.72 yards per attempt, with just 3 missed tackles forced. Hunt is slightly below the KC RB1, at 2.52 yards after contact per attempt and 2 missed tackles forced.
Neither of these veteran RBs is currently adding much in the run game.
What Might Chiefs Rookie RB Brashard Smith Bring to the Table vs. Ravens?
GettyKansas City Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith.
For those who didn’t pay too much attention to Chiefs football this spring and summer, Smith’s game is totally different from Pacheco’s and Hunt’s.
Smith is known for his blazing speed and home run ability, but he’s also a plus route-runner and receiver who has a built-in background as a converted WR. Patrick Mahomes developed a bit of a rapport with Smith in the receiving game this spring and summer, especially on wheel routes over the top of a mismatched linebacker.
In some ways, Smith’s role could be reminiscent of Jerick McKinnon’s, except he’s more explosive. He’s also less polished than McKinnon was in his prime, which probably explains why the Chiefs have been hesitant to deploy him.
Even if Kansas City isn’t completely comfortable with Smith’s pass protection and playbook knowledge as of Week 4 — which is mostly an educated guess as to why he hasn’t seen much action — they could try and get him the ball on a few designed carries and screens to see if his speed can break one loose.
At the very least, he could act as a decoy who distracts the defense as the Chiefs target someone else. At best, he could show a lot more upside than Pacheco and Hunt.
Calls Mounting for Chiefs to Give Rookie More Snaps in Week 4