Have Chiefs added a new weapon into their offense? His versatility is dazzling
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Chiefs deploy Brashard Smith across running, receiving and return roles.
- Smith produced 39 rush and 42 receiving yards in 31-0 win over Raiders.
- Coaches expand Smith’s role weekly, moving him across packages and returns.
In the Chiefs’ offense, a running back skilled at catching passes is valued, and a wide receiver with good end-around speed is prized.
In rookie running back Brashard Smith, the Chiefs have a player with experience playing both important positions.
“It’s a little tricky,” Smith said. “You have to know a lot of stuff. But I have no problems learning.”
Smith is coming off his most productive game of the season. He gained 39 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards in the Chiefs’ 31-0 bashing of the Raiders last weekend.
Smith played a season-high 28 offensive snaps against Las Vegas. As the game got out of hand after halftime, the Chiefs leaned more heavily on their third-string running back: He got touches on 10 straight snaps over two possessions as KC sought to burn the clock.
Earlier in the game, when the action was more competitive, Smith turned in a highlight play when he took a quick, horizontal strike from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, followed his blocking, weaved through traffic and finished with a 17-yard gain.
That’s Smith’s longest play this season. And he was a broken tackle away from perhaps scoring a long touchdown.
“Pat let me know to keep my eyes open and be ready for the ball,” Smith said. “I was ready and knew I had to get some yards after the catch.”
The Chiefs are convinced there’s plenty more to come from the seventh-round pick from SMU, where Smith in one season rushed for 1,332 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Smith spent his first three collegiate years at Miami, where he was used primarily as a wide receiver. Through it all, he was a kickoff-return specialist and led the nation with a 29.0-yard return average in 2023 for the Hurricanes.
Now with the Chiefs, Smith has joined wideout Nikko Remigio in returning kicks.
“He’s done a nice job picking it up,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “That position, you’ve got to know the pass game, the run game, protections, different looks the defense is throwing at you.
“He’s hung right in there and has done a good job. We’ve been able to give him a little more each week in different roles. We’re moving him all over the place and I don’t see that part changing. We’re going to keep utilizing his talents.”
Smith might be listed behind veteran backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt on the depth chart, but the team’s overall backfield production has risen in the past few weeks and Smith is part of that renaissance.
“He’s made a ton of progress,” Mahomes said. “And he’ll continue to get better and better. Coach Reid’s offense is hard, especially for that running back position because you have to do so many things.
“Whenever he gets his opportunities, he’s making things happen.”