Andy Reid finds himself in a tight spot. The Kansas City Chiefs’ head coach took two major blows in just two weeks with injuries to Marquise Brown and Isiah Pacheco. With two key players sidelined indefinitely, Reid’s options are limited. So, how can the seasoned head coach address these significant gaps in his offense? Let’s explore the possibilities.
The absence of both players leaves massive holes in the Chiefs’ offense. With a thin market and the season in full swing, Reid’s room for maneuvering is tight-especially when it comes to fixing their ground game.
Brown’s injury may be covered
Reid seems calm regarding Hollywood Brown’s injury. At a recent press conference, the Kansas City coach assured fans that he was comfortable with the depth at wide receiver. Justin Watson and Skyy Moore sit behind Brown on the depth chart and could step up in his absence.
Additionally, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has the talents of Rashee Rice, rookie Xavier Worthy, and Juju Smith-Schuster, who usually line up on the left but are versatile enough to switch positions if needed.
The running back dilemma
The running back situation is trickier. Reid is known for favoring in-house talent before exploring external options. Nominally, newcomer Samaje Perine is Isiah Pacheco’s backup, but his performances with previous teams-Denver and Cincinnati-have been relatively modest.
Reid has some options in the practice squad, including Emani Bailey and Keaontay Ingram, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire remains on the reserve list.
Bailey, an undrafted rookie out of TCU, still needs time to mature but could be promoted to the main roster if necessary. Ingram, a third-year player, joined the Chiefs in 2023 after a forgettable stint with the Arizona Cardinals.
Edwards-Helaire, however, presents a delicate situation. The five-year veteran is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, which has kept him sidelined. Yet Reid has indicated that Edwards-Helaire could still be an option for the active roster.
Exploring external options
If Reid isn’t satisfied with his internal choices, he could turn to the free-agent market. Veteran Jerick McKinnon, who left the team after the 2023 season, could be a familiar face to bring back. Though McKinnon didn’t stand out during his time with the Chiefs, his knowledge of Reid’s system could make him a useful addition.
Another potential option is La’Mical Perine, the cousin of Samaje Perine. La’Mical, who spent the preseason with the Green Bay Packers, has yet to find a permanent home in the NFL. He previously played with the Chiefs in 2022 and 2023 but didn’t put up impressive numbers.
Reid’s dilemma is clear: he must make smart choices to keep the Chiefs on track for an unprecedented three-peat, despite the significant setbacks of losing two stars.
