Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid praise one bright spark in Chiefs’ offense this season

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Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid heaped praise on Isiah Pacheco this week after a string of stellar performances from the second-year running back.

Through four weeks of the new NFL season we’re yet to see reigning NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes at his irrepressible best. Mahomes’ early season struggles have been symptomatic of a wider issue among the Chiefs offense, particularly with the wide receivers.

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Second-year running back in one bright spark in Kansas’ offense

Luckily, Mahomes does still have some weapons around him, most notably second-year running back Isiah Pacheco.

The 2022 seventh-round pick totaled a career-high 158 yards from scrimmage in Kansas City’s 23-20 win over the New York Jets in Week 4. He ran for 115 yards on 20 carries, including a 48-yard touchdown run, and he also added 43 receiving yards on three catches.

Through four games, he leads the Chiefs with 270 yards rushing on 55 carries, and has also caught 10 passes for 90 yards.

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Patrick Mahomes praises Isiah Pacheco ahead of trip to Minnesota

Mahomes spoke the media this week ahead of a trip to Minnesota to take on the Vikings this weekend. During his press conference he lauded Pacheco’s performances this season.

“Man, just give this man the football and let him go,” Mahomes said of Pacheco.

“He accepted the challenge, and that’s what makes this team great. It’s not just me, it’s everybody. I think we are all finally seeing that as the season goes along.”

“If I’ve ever seen a young guy be consistent, it’s that [Pacheco] guy,” Mahomes continued. “I mean you have to calm him down because he wants to go as hard as he can every single play, and that’s what the great ones do. I don’t know if y’all saw but he scored a touchdown.

“I don’t know if his feet ever landed in the endzone, he like jumped all the way. That’s his energy every single day. Just as much in the locker room, the meeting room, and on the practice field and game days, so I don’t think we have to worry about him being consistent.”

Reid lauds ‘consistency’ or Pacheco

It’s nice to have weapons other than Mahomes who can win the team football games. Pacheco is setting the standard for the rest of the offense to reach, and head coach Andy Reid had nothing but positive things to say about the running back after his efforts last week.

“Yeah, consistency is what you’re looking for. Obviously, when people know that you’re a good player,” Reid said.

“You know, they’re going to try new things to stop you, so it’s important that the offensive line tight ends are here on the same page, and they all do their job and make things happen. But the one thing you’re gonna get from him, he’s gonna go 100 miles an hour and run hard every time he gets an opportunity, whether he catches it or runs it. He’s going hard.”

Pacheco and the Chiefs will be looking to make it four wins on the spin against the Vikings on Sunday.