ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Last year at this time, Isiah Pacheco felt on the brink of a breakout. He finished the 2023 regular-season with the third and fourth 100-yard rushing games of his career in his final three games. He rushed for 313 yards and three touchdowns en route to the Chiefs’ triumph over San Francisco in the Super Bowl.
“Came around this time last year, I was feeling good, feeling happy about myself, went into (the) season, two games in, got injured,” Pacheco said after Wednesday’s practice.
The fractured ankle was bad enough, but Pacheco knew his team needed him. He pushed through his rehab, returning to the field just 11 weeks later. But Pacheco lacked the explosion and hard-nosedd running approach for which he’s known.
This offseason, Pacheco decided to take a different approach. Head Coach Andy Reid said during the offseason program that Pacheco had put on a “couple pounds of good weight.” He says he feels more mentally and physically prepared this season.
“Mentally, got with a trainer and ate a lot of food, had fun with the fam and enjoyed the moment,” Pacheco said. “But most importantly took those days where I was able to work and took advantage of it.”
It’s too early to tell if the changes will result in different results for Pacheco this season. Training camp is mostly passing focused this week, especially since the pads don’t come on until July 27. Pacheco received one carry during Wednesday’s practice, and that was merely perfunctory. When practices more run-oriented, he knows that’s his opportunity to shine.
“So, now this is around that time where I didn’t play too much football. So, this is my time to get back on the grind, and (I) just took advantage of that offseason.”
One thing hasn’t changed for the 26-year-old. Starting each of his first three seasons in the NFL, Pacheco set a goal of rushing for 1,000 yards. He’s not budging off that goal.
“Same thing, 1,000 yards, let’s go get it,” Pacheco said.
Notes & Observations
Temperatures in the low 80s were a smidge warmer Wednesday morning than on opening day on Tuesday, cancelling out the slightly lower humidity. That made for another steamy day for Chiefs training camp practice No. 2, a 1-hour, 24-minute workout as part of the team’s ramp-up period.
The team quickly ran through a thorough stretch, individual, combo and group install periods before heading into 7-on-7 work at 9:51 a.m., 38 minutes into practice. Patrick Mahomes repeated his performance from the previous day, completing four straight passes to Jalen Royals, Jared Wiley, Tyquan Thornton and Rashee Rice. On the second rotation, Mahomes completed passes to Xavier Worthy and Rice before a drop by Hollywood Brown ended the streak. Mahomes finished 7-on-7 work 10-of-12 while Gardner Minshew was 3-of-6, Bailey Zappe 1-of-1, and Chris Oladokun 0-of-1.
The team period started at 10:06, and looked sharper than Tuesday’s opening session. Mahomes placed a deep ball with pinpoint accuracy to Hollywood Brown on a go-route, with Brown hauling in the pass between cornerback Jaylen Watson and safety Bryan Cook for a touchdown. Mahomes was sharp on his first rotation, completing 6-of-7 passes. Noah Gray made a short catch and added a nifty pin move for additional yardage, and later caught an underhanded toss from Mahomes on a tight end screen.
The quarterback’s only incompletition occurred on a sprint right where he used a pump fake to get George Karlaftis to leave his feet. But the edge rusher regrouped and pursued Mahomes back to the left. Mahomes tried to connect with Thornton on the busted play, but to no avail.
Among the backups, Chris Oladokun made the most of his rep by connecting with Mac Dalena on a deep throw downfield for a big gain. Oladokun has shown more comfort in the pocket this year, but his arm strength has never been in question. Dalena, a former teammate of Nikko Remigio at Fresno State, is a sleeper pick to make a roster bid at receiver.
Mahomes was 4-of-4 on his second rotation, which also included the rare handoff to Isiah Pacheco. Travis Kelce hauled in two receptions, but it was the streak down the left sideline to speedy Brashard Smith down the left sideline that impressed the most. Smith, using his receiving skills out of the backfield or even split out wide, can create a mismatch at any time, and his soft hands and speed make him dangerous with the ball in his hand. He’s been getting work ahead of veteran Elijah Mitchell, illustrating how serious the Chiefs view him as a contributor this year.
Mahomes finished the 11-on-11 work a perfect 10-for-10 while Minshew was in 3-of-7, Zappe 2-of-3, and Oladokun 1-of-2.
Special teams took over for the final period at 10:24, starting with a focus on gunners going through one-on-two drills. The punt protection unit also took a rotation before the punt return team got its first work of training camp. This was notable for providing a hint at the option for the return specialist role. Remigio, Smith, Skyy Moore and Xavier Worthy all received punts. Remigio is the favorite, and he and Smith are also the top two pairings on kickoff returns. Worthy’s presence is notable, and while coordinator Dave Toub argues he’s the team’s best punt returner, his workload on offense makes him an unlikely regular option.
The final horn sounded at 10:37, putting a wrap on camp practice No. 2.
Injury Report
There were no additions or subtractions from the injury list on Wednesday. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee), cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee) and tight end Tre Watson (abdomen/groin) worked out in the rehab tent for the second day in a row and remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
With Taylor out, the Chiefs continue to operate with first-round draft pick Josh Simmons at left tackle and Jaylon Moore at right tackle. Jaylen Watson joined Trent McDuffie as the starting cornerbacks while Nazeeh Johnson and Nohl Williams filled out the second team.
The “Chris Jones Rule”
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo spilled some tea on the “Chris Jones Rule” for the Kansas City defense.
Spagnuolo was discussing how Patrick Mahomes makes the Kansas City defense defend entire plays in progress until their culmination. Jones was lurking inside the media tent as Spagnuolo pulled him into the conversation.
“Patrick out here makes us play the whole down,” Spagnuolo explained. “Yeah, I’m always yelling at Chris because he’s not pass rushing the whole down, so I gotta get him out, but I tell him not to chase him too much. I don’t want to pull — What was that week that we chased Patrick and we pulled, pulled the — it was like (a) playoff (game) or something, right?”
Jones replied, “Yeah, it was playoff week.” Spagnuolo added, “We got a special rule for Chris on that.”
The incident occurred on Jan. 9, 2020, as the Chiefs were preparing for a playoff contest against the Tennessee Titans. Jones won his assignment and entered the offensive backfield. Mahomes went on the move to buy time for his receivers — and Jones decided enough was enough.
“So we was in the battle, and I had to show Pat that I can really catch you,” Jones said. “I just chilled after I beat the guy because he’s got to stay 5 to 10 yards away from the quarterback, and they got serious one day and (I) end up pulling (the) groin. I was like, ‘You know what, Pat, you got it.'”
The injury caused a decent-sized furor at the time. Jones and Spagnuolo on Wednesday referred to the injury as a groin issue, but the club at the time referred to it as a calf injury. There were rumors the injury didn’t occur in practice, fueled by the legendary two-on-two basketball games played in the locker in those days combined with a spill Jones suffered during a game earlier in the season with media present. Head Coach Andy Reid got a little testy when asked the next day if the injury occurred during practice or was an earlier issue.
“Yeah, he didn’t practice today,” Reid said. “For the injury thing, you got what you need. Do you need to know the play? He tweaked it. He didn’t practice today. We’ll see how he does, and we’ll follow up with all you guys.”
Jones did not practice that Friday before sitting out the Divisional Playoff game against Houston, a 51-31 Kansas City win. He didn’t practice again until Jan. 17, when he was limited before the AFC Championship against Tennessee. He remained on the injury report through Super Bowl week but was a full participant.
Regardless, Spagnuolo pulled Jones aside afterwards, and the “Chris Jones Rule” became a thing.
“We have a rule in practice, once I cross the line of scrimmage or beat a player I can’t chase Patrick, because, you know, Patrick does some crazy stuff behind the line of scrimmage at times, and it get very competitive out there, because, you know, you can’t touch the quarterback, so the quarterback can extend and hold the ball for like five or six seconds after the play.”
Jones jokingly chided his defensive coordinator for spilling the beans.
“I didn’t know he was just gonna come out here and tell all my business today,” Jones said with a laugh. “I wanted it to stay low-key, but it’s out there.”
Honey Badgers Retires
Former Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement Tuesday after 12 seasons in the NFL, including a three-year stint with the Chiefs. He arrived in Kansas City in 2019, Steve Spagnuolo’s first season as the team’s defensive coordinator.
“I just had a — I love (him), you know how I feel about Tyrann,” Spagnuolo said, tapping his chest over his heart.
“He was a key piece to what we were doing,” he added. “And we started off a little rough, but got better and better. But I love Tyrann Mathieu. I’m really excited for what he — he’ll do something great going forward. He might end up being the president. Who knows? He’s a dynamic guy. But I think he’ll stay somehow in athletics or football. That’s my guess.”
Mathieu arguably played the best football of his career during his stint in Kansas City from 2019-2021, a period in which he earned two All-Pro first-team honors, two Pro Bowl nods, and was a two-time winner of the Derrick Thomas Award as the team’s MVP.
Jones credited Mathieu, along with defensive end Frank Clark for helping drive the Chiefs to the club’s first Super Bowl title in 50 years during the 2019 season.
“You know me and Spags had the conversation about T5 yesterday,” said Jones, referencing Spagnuolo’s nickname for Mathieu. “T5 is like one of his favorite players, and I told Spags, ‘You know, I think I’m next in line. But he brought a sense of leadership, him and Frank Clark, (a) sense of tenacity that this team was missing to get over that hump, to win a ring, and we created a lot of special moments with those guys.”
Safety Bryan Cook, who arrived in Kansas City just as Mathieu was departing via free agency for New Orleans, watched the All-Pro growing up and watched his Chiefs film to better learn his role in the Kansas City defense.
“He transcended the game at LSU,” Cook said. “I know I watched all his highlights growing up, and then even when I came into the building, you know, being able to watch him, you know, in NFL time, as far as like me, stepping into some of the same type of rim and feel, understanding how he plays the game and how it’s transcended. … So he definitely is a person that I looked up to, as far as, you know, understanding the game, understanding the play style, and one of those smart guys who has a lot of heart.
Between his record on the field, his community work in the Kansas City area, and his popularity among Chiefs fans, Mathieu would be an obvious candidate for the club’s Hall of Honor. There’s no rule regarding service time with the Chiefs, so he will be eligible as soon as 2029.
What’s Next?
The Chiefs head into the back half of the acclimation and ramp-up period with two more practices Thursday and Friday morning, kicking off at 9:15 each day. The club has an off-day Saturday before their first day in pads on Sunday, also starting at 9:15 a.m. Tickets for Sunday’s practice are $6.
Tickets are free for most practices, and parking is $7 per vehicle. Tickets and parking passes are available only online and must be reserved in advance.
