Isiah Pacheco can be the Chiefs' closer, if they'll just let him

The rookie running back shows all the traits needed to help vary the offense and bury opponents. Will Andy utilize him that way down the stretch?

Sometimes with this job it feels like time is a flat circle. A little over a month ago (November 3rd, to be precise), I wrote about how Isiah Pacheco was starting to iron out some of the flaws in his game and needed a closer look.

Now, a month later, it’s time to revisit Pacheco as a topic of conversation. But this time, it’s not to talk about how he should be breaking into the rotation. Now, it’s to talk about how he’s taken another step forward to the point of being an obvious solution to a few problems that (at times) plague the Chiefs’ offense. Because while the offense has been overall excellent (it’s the best in the league), it can be even better.

The first thing with Pacheco to get out of the way is that even has he’s earned a larger role in the offense, he continues to run every down like he’s the the last guy on the roster in the final game of preseason. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed.

royal!* @SeahawksBetta

live footage of isiah pacheco everytime he get the ball

Brett Kollmann @BrettKollmann

A lot easier for the Chiefs to run from under center this year when they finally got a running back that's made of a blend of corded steel and pure hatred.

Geoff Schwartz @geoffschwartz

@RealMNchiefsfan I really like when the Chiefs run the ball from under center.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First, let’s talk about what it means to be a “closer” at the running back position, why Pacheco fits the bill, and how he can help the Chiefs be a more varied offense given his skillset. Because based on how he’s looked with each opportunity, that skillset appears to be one Kansas City hasn’t had since Kareem Hunt’s departure. And part of that is, as Brett Kollman said so well, running with a fair amount of hate towards the defenders trying to tackle him.

This run, along with multiple others, is about more than just “holy crap he hits hard.” Pacheco has made leaps forward as a pro in terms of vision, decisiveness, and smart running that are showing up every week. And those leaps have allowed his fast and physical play style to rise to the forefront. Let’s talk about how Reid ought to be viewing him as both a changeup and a closer to help round out the offense.