How the Chiefs will approach their backfield situation over the final weeks
Chiefs running back Spencer Ware faked a route to the near flat, took a couple of lateral steps and stuck his head into the gut of defender 30 pounds heavier.
As Denver Broncos pass rusher Jeremiah Attaochu absorbed Ware’s helmet, he fell to the snow-covered grass, moving on his hands and knees as he failed to maintain his balance.
Ware’s devastating block set the edge for a Patrick Mahomes scramble in the second quarter of the Chiefs’ 23-3 win Sunday. It was a rather harmless 5-yard run that didn’t move the first-down chain.
But the image emphasized a point about Ware’s place on the team — and the reason he’s led the Chiefs’ backfield in snaps for two straight games despite being out of a job when the month began. Despite his age, the surgeries, his injury history and potential rust, Ware hasn’t seemed to have lost a step in one critical area — pass protection.
“Spencer’s done a heck of a job since he’s been back,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said. “Spencer’s always been one of those guys we’re counting on as a complete football player. Does a great job of protection; does a great job of running the ball; and he has pretty good hands out of the backfield. So Spencer’s been a great addition since he’s been back.”
Ware’s late-season arrival has thrown a wrench in the Chiefs’ backfield, a position group that continues to rotate its snaps.
That’s by necessity. Not by choice.
The Chiefs would have preferred for one guy to “take control of that role, just like with any position,” Bieniemy acknowledged. But injuries played a part in preventing that.
Damien Williams could reverse the course of this trend. He was set to be the Chiefs’ starting back this year, even after the post-training camp signing of LeSean McCoy. But Williams has missed five games with different injuries, most recently a rib ailment.
He’s back at practice this week, tracking toward a return Sunday at the Chicago Bears.
“That changes a lot because he brings a lot to the table,” Bieniemy said. “But we just want to make sure we’re evaluating (him), and I’m sure Coach (Andy Reid) will make a decision on him this week of what’s going to happen and how much he’s going to play.”
When Williams returns, whether its Sunday in Chicago or later elsewhere, he will likely be thrust into a prominent role.
But not a full-time one. Ware has provided an important element to the backfield with his pass protection. That alone should help him stick.
McCoy will continue to be part of the equation, too. He leads the team with 465 rushing yards, with the Chiefs intent on monitoring his workload to preserve his freshness for the postseason. Reid believes McCoy still has quick feet — and he’s averaging 4.6 yards per carry — but at 31 years old, wear and tear is a concern.
McCoy is on pace for 536 yards this season, which would represent the lowest total for a Chiefs leading rusher since Donnell Bennett ran for 527 yards in 1998.
Rookie Darwin Thompson has seen more snaps, but his progression necessitates additional comfort with the finer details of an NFL running back’s role, including pass protection.
All four figure to factor into the solution over the final two weeks of the Chiefs’ regular season, as well as the postseason.
“They’re all getting an opportunity right now, and I’m OK with that,” Reid said. “I’m OK with blending it and letting it go. They all give you something different and a different look on things.”
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 5:00 AM.