Chiefs running back who didn’t get a chance in 2023 is confident for next season

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The running back position in the Kansas City Chiefs has never been a major concern, but at the same time it’s not a unit of such prominence.

It’s a consistent group that gets the job done the right way.

Isiah Pacheco leads the unit, which includes the likes of Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince and Keaontay Ingram.

Prince has been in the squad since last year, when he signed with the franchise as a free-agent after the Draft. The player comes from the University of Tulsa and is 24 years old.

Why Prince was left out of the 2023 season

The runner seemed to be excelling in the 2023 training camp. That’s because he ended up taking on a more primary role due to Pacheco’s recovery from surgery.

But Prince ended up not getting a place in the squad. He took part in the pre-season games, but the results were a little disappointing.

22 carries for 79 yards – and he didn’t prove to be a good pass blocker either.

At this year’s TC, things seem to be flowing better. He, like in 2023, is taking part in rotations, but there seems to have been a change in his mentality.

Isiah Pacheco, the good tutor

After practice last Tuesday, Deneric Prince gave an interview to the media and spoke about the change in perspective for 2024.

“I feel like now I’ve got more understanding [of what’s required]. So I’m getting more comfortable in the offense and just steadily growing.”

The running back is aware that the main reason he missed last season was his weakness when it came to pass blocking. And he doesn’t use that as a crutch.

“That’s been my biggest emphasis this camp,” noted.

He added that Pacheco is being his mentor. “I’ve just been trying to work on that: my hands and growth — just taking things from Pacheco. He’s been a great leader, so I’ve just been following him.”

As well as running, the leader of the unit is very keen to keep an eye on the quarterback – he can’t be hit by anything.

“Day in and day out he’s telling me, ‘Pass protection is key. Pad level [is] a mentality thing. Running backs set the tone.’ So we’ve just been working on that.”

Prince is already reaping the rewards of his hard work this offseason.

“[I] definitely [did] more weight training,” claimed. “I used a lot of work to get ready for pass protection because I knew that was going to be a big emphasis in this camp.”

Let’s see if he has room in the squad in a year as ‘mission impossible’ as this one.