The Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers are fast, boasting five players who ran sub-4.5 seconds in the 4-yard dash and two who posted times in the 4.2s. There have been signs that the Chiefs will look to be more vertical in 2024, with Patrick Mahomes connecting on several deep looks throughout camp.
However, Mahomes is looking to be more than just a fastball pitcher as an offense. Mahomes believes there has to be a balance.
Patrick Mahomes: Balance the ‘Biggest Thing’ for Chiefs’ Offense
Patrick Mahomes Wants Chiefs to Have Balanced Approach
“Obviously with the speed, we’re gonna be able to hit guys over the top. But I think the biggest thing is you want to be able to do both,” Mahomes told reporters on August 6. “I think that’s something we’ve worked on all camp is you’ve got to be able to hit the guys over the top. And then when the defenses play deep you have to be able to hit the medium-type things, and then we have to be able to run the football.
“That’s what makes great offense great is having the ability to do all of that. And so as much as I wanna throw it deep every single play, I think just being able to do everything is gonna be the biggest part of our offense.”
The Chiefs ranked 12th in rushing yards per attempt and 19th in passing yards per attempt in 2023, though they were 13th in net passing yards per attempt.
Still, last year’s team lacked the explosive ability of previous year’s groups.
Patrick Mahomes’ Has ‘Loved’ Chemistry in WR Room
Even with the emergence of Rashee Rice (4.51 40-yard dash), the group lacked a consistent explosive option. This year’s group includes new additions Hollywood Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy. They figure to soak up many of the looks that went to Kadarius Toney, Mecole Hardman, and Skyy Moore.
“What I’ve loved the most is how much they root for each other,” Mahomes said. “When guys make plays, everybody’s going out there to celebrate. And we have a lot of good guys that are playing hard, and all making plays against a great defense. It’s not all gonna be perfect, it’s not all gonna be the perfect play. But they’re all rooting for each other.
“That’s what you want in the receiving room is a good group of guys that are talented.”
Isiah Pacheco Ready to Shoulder the Workload
While the receiving room will get plenty of attention, running back Isiah Pacheco is looking to be the all-around back that some the the greatest offenses in history have played through. That includes working on his route running as a receiver, both from the slot and on the perimeter.
“He’s done a great job,” Mahomes said of Pacheco. “[Head Coach Andy] Reid will put him out there and let him run some shorter routes and deeper routes that he hadn’t ran before, and some read routes that necessarily aren’t for running backs. And he’s done a great job with that. He wants to be great. He’s done a great job running the football for us. He’s done a great job catching out of the backfield. But if he can catch it from the slot or from a receiver-type position, it’s just gonna help him be a better football player.”
Pacheco caught 44 passes for 244 yards and two scores in 2023, nearly doubling his yardage and more than doubling his receptions from his rookie season.
