Andy Reid Provides Chiefs Fans With Update on How Team Will Handle Backfield
By James.r
The Kansas City Chiefs backfield depth chart has been a bit muddled since the team's dismissal of Kareem Hunt last November. With the first preseason game approaching, head coach Andy Reid provided some clarity Thursday on how the club plans to manage their running backs during the upcoming campaign.
He says the team will go with a running back by committee, with Damien Williams, Darrell Williams and Carlos Hyde likely getting significant touches:
Andy Reid appeared on the @SiriusXMNFL Training Camp tour and said to expect an RBBC in the Chiefs backfield this season. Along with Damien Williams, he pointed out the play of Darrell Williams and also mentioned Carlos Hyde.
— Jeff Ratcliffe (@JeffRatcliffe) August 8, 2019
In all honesty, the Chiefs offense should be just fine in Hunt's absence, just as they were in the second half of 2018. Hyde has significant experience as a feature back from his time in San Francisco and Damien Williams was a great complementary back last season who deserves an amplified role in the offense. While Darrel Williams was uninspiring in limited touches as an undrafted rookie last season, he's impressed so far in camp.
The Chiefs willingness to enter the year with a committee of running backs highlights the league-wide devaluation of star backs. It makes particularly good sense for Kansas City, who should remain a high-powered offense with the brilliant trio of Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce ready to yet again account for the majority of the team's scoring.
2018 Kareem Hunt vs 2018 Damien Williams post-Hunt’s release
— PFF KC Chiefs (@PFF_Chiefs) August 8, 2019
PFF Grade: Hunt 82.2, Williams 85.2
Yards per Carry: Hunt 4.6, Williams 5.0
Yards per Route: Hunt 1.49, Williams 1.61
Yards per Touch: Hunt 5.8, Williams 5.8
Touches per TD: Hunt 14.8, Williams 11.2#ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/2aCPk4xJ7a
The Chiefs' stacked roster is a case of the supporting cast making the running back, not vice versa. Even with a rotation of second-tier running backs, they will sport one of the league's top offenses en route to another successful season under the tutelage of Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Get ready, KC fans.