Chiefs Rookie RB Gets Promising Update from Head Coach Andy Reid

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Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid revealed that rookie running back Brashard Smith is set to earn more snaps moving forward

The Kansas City Chiefs didn’t exactly have the start to the 2025 campaign that they were hoping for, but after picking up wins in three of their past four games, it appears they are back on the right track. However, there are still some issues that need to be cleaned up if the team intends to find its way back to the Super Bowl.

One of the biggest problems for the Chiefs so far this season has been their lack of a rushing attack. Both Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have struggled to get anything going, and for most of the season, Patrick Mahomes has been the team’s most effective runner. Heading into Week 8, head coach Andy Reid has a potential fix, and it involves rookie running back Brashard Smith.

Brashard Smith Could Earn More Snaps for the Chiefs

In 2024, the Chiefs’ rushing attack struggled to get much going, thanks in large part to Pacheco missing the majority of the season with a fractured fibula. The hope was that he could enjoy a nice bounce-back season in 2025 now that he is fully healthy, but to this point, he has continued to struggle alongside Hunt.

Mahomes has managed to make up for the struggles with his scrambling ability, but at some point, it’d be nice for him to have some sort of consistent rushing attack to support him. With Pacheco and Hunt unable to get much going, fans have called for Smith, a seventh-round rookie, to get more touches out of the backfield.

To this point, Smith hasn’t managed to do much on the ground, racking up just 67 yards on 22 carries, but he picked up 122 yards on 14 catches out of the backfield, showing off his potential in the process. With Kansas City needing some help at running back, Reid recently made it sound like Smith could get some more snaps on offense moving forward.

“He’s done a nice job of picking it up … he’s hung right in there and done a good job,” Reid said of Smith on Friday. “We’ve been able to give him a little bit more each week in different roles; we’re moving him all over the place. I wouldn’t see that part changing; we’re gonna keep utilizing his talents.”

Chiefs Aiming to Continue Winning Ways in Week 8

GettyKansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

With Mahomes having his full complement of pass catchers back on the field, that should help him make up for the lack of a rushing attack. If Smith can emerge as an unexpected contributor in the same way Pacheco burst onto the scene as a seventh-round rookie himself back in 2022, that could help make the Chiefs even more dangerous than they already are.

Kansas City is rolling right now, and it will look to continue its winning ways when it takes on the Washington Commanders in Week 8. The Commanders are dealing with their own share of injury problems, with the most consequential of the bunch involving star quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has been ruled out for this game. With this game scheduled for Monday Night Football, kickoff is currently set for 8:15 p.m. ET.

Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli