The Chiefs will need to find balance with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ever since losing featured running back and known energizer Isiah Pacheco to a broken right leg two months ago, the Kansas City Chiefs have been preparing for his return to the lineup.

“It’s going to be us trying to contain him because he’s a guy who wants to be out there as much as possible and he wants to play,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.

“At the same time, he wants to win. He knows the long-term goal we have. Our goal is to get him back as soon as possible, but at the best time for him and his body, so we can have him for the long haul.”

Pacheco’s return is finally near, and he’s likely to play in Friday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium (3 p.m. ET, Prime Video). Coach Andy Reid said earlier this week that Pacheco would play against the Raiders as long as he didn’t have any setbacks.

Although the Chiefs would welcome his return, his role could be confounded by the presence of his replacement, Kareem Hunt, who was signed after Pacheco was placed on the injured reserve list. He quickly took over as the featured back and leads the Chiefs in rushing with 577 yards.

The Chiefs will have an interesting decision to make in terms of how to divvy up playing time.

“Both of them are good players, so we’ll find a way to get them both in,” coach Andy Reid said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

Reid’s history with running backs since joining the Chiefs in 2013 provides few clues to his plans. When he’s had a back he’s comfortable with in a featured role, he’s tended to give that player the bulk of the work. This list includes backs like Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware, Hunt, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Pacheco.

In 2022, Reid chose Pacheco, then a rookie, over Edwards-Helaire during the season. It was a clean shift, with Pacheco getting most of the playing time.

It seems unlikely that the Chiefs would make a similar decision and have Pacheco be the featured back, with Hunt given a much smaller role. Hunt has been a key player in their 10-1 season.

So the Chiefs could end up splitting playing time in somewhat of a 50-50 fashion.

“Both want the football, which is a great thing,” offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “They are really good when they have the football.

“They’re physical, they’re violent, and Pacheco brings that Energizer Bunny mentality of the excitement, the fire. You put that together with Kareem and it’s a great 1-2 punch. So I think more than anything, it’s just refreshing to see him out there.”

Hunt was a clear no. 1 back in 2017 and 2018 during his first stint with the Chiefs. But during his five seasons with the Cleveland Browns, he often shared the backfield with Nick Chubb.

“It could be very similar,” Hunt said. “I’m excited. I’m used to working with other great backs, so I feel like it’s going to be another great 1-2 punch.

“I’m happy for (Pacheco) and I know he’s excited to get back and get out there.”

It may take some time before a true playing pattern emerges. The Chiefs will likely be cautious about overloading Pacheco so soon after his return. He has not played since being injured in a Week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Pacheco returned to training just two weeks ago.

“We’re going to work him back when he’s ready … and not try to overdo it,” Mahomes said. “He wants energy, he wants to be on the football field, but I think it’s good that we have a good room with running backs so we can’t have him go out there and take 30 carries or whatever .

“We can just kind of let him be who he is and make the big plays happen and then take him along as the season goes on.”