Chiefs Face Looming Warning Over Patrick Mahomes’ Workload

Chiefs Struggling on the Ground

As Gagnon noted, the Chiefs have yet to top 125 rushing yards in any of their games this season, even though the passing game is coming to life with the return of Xavier Worthy from a Week 1 injury.

Gagnon pointed out that Mahomes has been the team’s most effective rusher while the team is getting little from the backfield.

“It’s not a great sign that quarterback Patrick Mahomes is the team’s leading rusher, despite the fact Isiah Pacheco was active throughout September,” Gagnon wrote. “His longest rush this season is 12 yards, while Kareem Hunt’s is 11.”

Gagnon warned that it’s not sustainable for Mahomes to continue shouldering so much of the load, saying the team will need to find some consistency in their running game.

“Mahomes simply isn’t the quarterback he used to be, and he certainly doesn’t have the support he once had. The Chiefs will eventually need more from their backs to help Mahomes out,” Gagnon wrote.

Chiefs Could Make Trade Deadline Additions

The Chiefs could shore up their running game at the trade deadline, with many analysts predicting the team will look to add a running back in the coming weeks.

Host Kay Adams suggested the Chiefs could aim for New York Jets tailback Breece Hall, who has an existing connection to Kansas City.

“He’s from Kansas City. He’s in the last year of his deal with the Jets. He’s looked great this year,” Adams said on “Up And Adams” this week. “He’s averaging over 85 total yards per game, more than Saquon, more than Derrick Henry so far in his wobbly first quarter. This would instantly transform the Chiefs’ backfield.”

Adams added that the Chiefs should be going all out to land the running back, who has averaged 86.5 yards from scrimmage through the first month of the season.

“Get this done,” Adams said. “Kansas City has only had a running back as their leading rusher once this season. I’ve been complaining about it. It’s been Mahomes and Worthy in other games. We’ve never seen Patrick with a running back like this. I need to see it happen.”

There could be other potential targets for the Chiefs, including New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara. SI.com’s Matt Verderame suggested it would be a “no-brainer” move if the Chiefs had a chance to land the two-way threat.

“If the Chiefs can acquire Kamara from New Orleans for a late-round pick, it’s a no-brainer,” Verderame wrote. “Kansas City has only $3 million in cap space, but Kamara’s cap hit is a proration of $2.9 million before a nonguaranteed 11.5 million next year. Through four games, Kamara has 256 rushing yards and a touchdown.”