Chiefs rumors: Andy Reid provides a positive injury update for Isiah Pacheco
The Kansas City Chiefs found themselves a difference maker in the running game late in last year's NFL Draft in Isiah Pacheco, who they selected in the seventh round out of Rutgers. Pacheco launched himself towards the top of the positional depth chart by the end of the season and scored a touchdown in Super Bowl 57 in Kansas City's 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
This offseason, however, Pacheco had undergone shoulder surgery, and he had yet to be cleared for contact in training camp. Pacheco was spotted throughout camp wearing a yellow non-contact jersey. Well, that has since changed on Monday, as he wore a red jersey for practice for the first time this summer.
While speaking with reporters on Monday, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid was asked about Pacheco's chances of playing in the team's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. Reid said that there is a chance that the second-year running back receives some playing time before the start of the regular season.
Whether Pacheco plays in the preseason isn't necessarily important. What would be if he's ready to go for the start of the regular season, which begins on Sept. 7 against the Detroit Lions?
Last year, Pacheco ran for 830 yards and five touchdowns on 170 carries, while logging 13 receptions for 130 yards on 14 targets through 17 regular-season games played. In the playoffs, Pacheco recorded 197 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on 37 carries, in addition to six receptions for 65 receiving yards on seven targets.
Chiefs fans, be ready for Pacheco to return to the field soon.
Chiefs rumors: Shane Buechele gives a shoutout to fans after Kansas City's preseason win
The Kansas City Chiefs just completed their second preseason game this past weekend. Much like the previous week, the Chiefs were on the road, this time in Arizona to take on the Cardinals. This was also a return to the venue where the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 57. Not to mention, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon was Philadelphia's defensive coordinator in the big game.
On Saturday, the Chiefs defeated the Cardinals 38-10. One player who had a flawless performance was none other than backup quarterback Shane Buechele. How so? Well, Buechele completed all 10 of his pass attempts for 105 yards. Additionally, Buechele ran twice for 14 yards and a touchdown.
After the game, Buechele was given the honor to give a shoutout to Chiefs fans.
"Good game by the boys today," said Buechele. "Good finish. We go onto next week, we play Cleveland. Go Chiefs."
Buechele is competing to find his way onto the 53-man roster. After Chad Henne announced his retirement, the Chiefs brought in Blaine Gabbert to be the veteran presence that could fill in for Patrick Mahomes, if need be. Let's not forget that Gabbert spent the past four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, three of which sitting behind Tom Brady.
Speaking of Gabbert, he completed seven-of-eight pass attempts for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Buechele has one more preseason game to show he's worthy of making the Week 1 roster.
Chiefs rumors: Predicted quarterbacks room for the 2023 season
The Kansas City Chiefs have their starting quarterback position filled for the foreseeable future, as Patrick Mahomes is on a trajectory to potentially be one of the greatest players ever in NFL history. After all, he has won two Super Bowl titles and two NFL MVPs, while making the playoffs in each of his first five years as a starter. As long as Mahomes is healthy, Kansas City has a chance to bring home another Lombardi Trophy.
As for who will back him up, there is a bit of uncertainty there. They brought in Blaine Gabbert, who backed up Tom Brady with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Then there's Shane Buechele, who had been with the team since 2021 and has knowledge of the offense. Rounding out the quarterback depth chart this preseason is Chris Oladokun, who joined the team before last season after the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him in the seventh round that year, released him.
With only so many roster spots available, which quarterbacks will make the roster for Week 1 against the Detroit Lions?
Arrowhead Addict's Lyle Graversen released his second 53-man roster predictions after the team's 38-10 preseason win over the Arizona Cardinals. For the quarterback position, Graversen has Mahomes, Gabbert, and Buechele making the 53-man roster, with Oladokun missing out.
"In both of my previous roster projections, I had the Chiefs only keeping Mahomes and Gabbert," writes Graversen. "Shane Buechele has won me over this preseason, so much so that I considered the possibility that they might move on from Gabbert. However, the NFL's new rule that says your third quarterback doesn't count against your game day actives is enough reason for me to believe the Chiefs will carry three guys at the most important position in football.
"With Gabbert on just a one-year deal, I believe Buechele may graduate to the second QB spot next season and they'll find another young option to bring along behind him next offseason."
As mentioned on the previous page, both Gabbert and Buechele both had good showings against the Cardinals this past Saturday. The Chiefs can keep three quarterbacks, as Graversen mentions, due to the NFL's new rule allowing a third signal caller to be dressed on game day.
Oladokun completed four-of-five pass attempts for 63 yards in Arizona on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see who head coach Andy Reid decides to add to the 53-man roster. But when it comes to the backup quarterback position, Gabbert and Buechele appear set to earn a spot based on their play this preseason.
