BREAKING NEWS: Chiefs OC Matt Nagy discusses the offense without Isiah Pacheco: ‘It’s the next man up..

Chiefs OC Matt Nagy discusses the offense without Isiah Pacheco: ‘It’s the next man up..

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy recently addressed the media regarding the offense’s situation without star running back Isiah Pacheco, who was sidelined during a critical stretch. Pacheco, a dynamic playmaker and key contributor to the Chiefs’ offensive scheme, has been dealing with injury issues that have forced Kansas City to adapt. However, Nagy’s message was clear: the team embodies a “next man up” mentality.

Nagy acknowledged Pacheco’s value to the team but emphasized that the Chiefs have built their offense to be resilient, even in the face of injuries. “Isiah is a special player, no doubt,” Nagy said. “His toughness, speed, and energy are hard to replace. But this is the NFL—guys go down, and others have to step in and do their job. We trust the guys we have, and it’s about the next man up.”

The Chiefs’ offensive depth has long been a hallmark of their success under head coach Andy Reid, and that depth is being tested. With Pacheco out, the running back duties have fallen to a combination of veterans and younger players, including Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Nagy praised the versatility of the group, noting that each player brings something unique to the table. “Jerick and Clyde have both been in this offense for a while, and they know what’s expected of them. We have confidence that they can carry the load while Isiah recovers.”

McKinnon, known for his pass-catching ability out of the backfield, has been leaned on in situations requiring a more dynamic presence in the passing game. Meanwhile, Edwards-Helaire has been tasked with more of the between-the-tackles work, utilizing his experience and physicality to keep the ground game going. Nagy highlighted how their complementary skill sets allow the Chiefs to remain unpredictable on offense, even without their primary back.

“Both of these guys are capable of taking over in different ways,” Nagy said. “Jerick is excellent in the open field, catching passes and creating mismatches, and Clyde can grind it out when we need to control the clock or pick up tough yards.”

The Chiefs’ offensive philosophy, heavily centered around quarterback Patrick Mahomes, offers flexibility that mitigates the impact of losing a key player like Pacheco. Nagy discussed how Mahomes’ leadership and ability to adapt help ease transitions during injuries. “Having a guy like Patrick at quarterback helps everything. He knows how to read defenses, check out of plays, and keep everyone involved. Losing a guy like Isiah hurts, but Patrick helps make sure we don’t miss a beat.”

Nagy also stressed the importance of sticking to the game plan and not overreacting to injuries. “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. We have a system, we trust the players in it, and we execute,” he explained.

Ultimately, the Chiefs’ “next man up” approach reflects their organizational belief in depth and preparation. While Pacheco’s absence is felt, Nagy’s confidence in the team’s ability to adjust has been unwavering. “We’re ready to go with whoever’s out there,” he concluded.