Who led the Chiefs in rushing over the last decade? The list might surprise you ...
It’s playoff time in Kansas City. The Chiefs are looking to win their third consecutive Super Bowl and make NFL history in the process.
The Chiefs spent this week gearing up for their postseason run. With the AFC’s No. 1 seed, the Chiefs have utilized their playoff bye to rest and get healthy.
One Chiefs player to watch as workouts resume next week is running back Isiah Pacheco. The dynamic ball-carrier dealt with multiple injuries this season. He fractured his fibula against the Cincinnati Bengals in September and missed the regular-season finale with injured ribs.
Pacheco appeared in seven games this season. He recorded 310 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also caught 12 passes for 79 yards.
A seventh-round draft pick out of Rutgers in 2022, Pacheco has pilled up 2,075 yards and 13 touchdowns in three seasons as a pro. The Chiefs will count on him to carry much of the load in the playoffs, though he will share carries with Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine and Carson Steele.
Pacheco broke a fibula in Week 2 this season (Sept. 15 against the Bengals) and missed multiple games in recovery and rehab. He returned to action against the Raiders on Nov. 29 and could be a difference-maker in the playoffs.
Here is a look at the Chiefs’ leading running backs over the last 10 years:
2015: Charcandrick West (634 yards)
West stepped up in a significant way after incumbent starter Jamaal Charles suffered a torn ACL midway through the season. West racked up 634 yards and scored four touchdowns in 15 games (nine starts).
2016: Spencer Ware (921 yards)
The former LSU product had a solid year with the Chiefs early in the Andy Reid era. He rushed for a team-high 921 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 2016. He was a quality receiver, too, with 33 receptions for 447 yards and two touchdowns.
2017: Kareem Hunt (1327 yards)
Hunt enjoyed a stellar rookie season. He led the NFL with 1,327 rushing yards and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2017. He finished second in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara.
2018: Kareem Hunt (824 yards)
Hunt led the Chiefs in rushing again in 2018. He finished with 1,202 scrimmage yards and 14 total touchdowns as the Chiefs finished 12-4 in the AFC West.
2019: Damien Williams (498 yards)
The Chiefs used a committee approach in 2019. Williams shared the load with NFL veteran LeSean McCoy, Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson. The game plan worked as the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers.
2020: Clyde Edwards-Helaire (803 yards)
The Chiefs turned to Edwards-Helaire to lead their backfield in 2020. A former first-round draft pick out of LSU, he finished with 1,100 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns.
2021: Darrel Williams (558 yards)
It was back to the committee approach in 2021, with Williams and Edwards-Helaire taking turns as the Chiefs’ featured back. Williams posted 558 yards and six touchdowns, while Edwards-Helaire chipped in 517 yards and four touchdowns.
2022: Isiah Pacheco (830 yards)
Pacheco quietly emerged as the Chiefs’ top option in 2022. He broke out in the postseason, as well, with 197 rushing yards to solidify his spot as KC’s starting running back.
2023: Isiah Pacheco (935 yards)
Pacheco recorded 935 yards and seven touchdowns as the Chiefs won their second consecutive Super Bowl.
2024: Kareem Hunt (728 yards)
Hunt stepped up after Pacheco was injured in the second game of the season. And, in his second stint with the Chiefs, Hunt was a big part of the offense that helped KC return to the playoffs. Pacheco has returned to his starting role, but Hunt figures to see his share of carries in the postseason.
