Sports Buzz

Tag: Isiah Pacheco – English

  • Chiefs could find a Jerick McKinnon type of player in 2025 NFL Draft to help Patrick Mahomes

    Chiefs could find a Jerick McKinnon type of player in 2025 NFL Draft to help Patrick Mahomes

    The Kansas City Chiefs came into this offseason with some holes to fill. Although their Super Bowl LIX loss to the Philadelphia Eagles was brutal for the team, it at least helped the front office identify clear areas of need. Chief among those needs is the offensive line, as well as wide receiver. But there might be another position on offense that the team seemed to be missing throughout the 2024 season.

    The team’s running backs struggled to make a big impact in many games. Isiah Pacheco suffered a major injury, but him and Kareem Hunt only averaged 3.67 yards per carry combined. But going beyond just their performance on the ground, the team seemed to be lacking explosion in the passing game from that position. Samaje Perine did a serviceable job as the team’s passing down back, but he couldn’t replicate the success Jerick McKinnon had with the team in 2022 and 2023.

    Patrick Mahomes shows off elite training routine right after NFL season ends

    Could Chiefs be interested in TreVeyon Henderson to make backfield more explosive?

    McKinnon was one of the best passing down backs in the league, both as a pass-catcher and pass-protector. He caught 13 touchdowns in his last two seasons with the team and kept Patrick Mahomes upright. The team could use a player like him, and there’s a specific player in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft that could intrigue the front office: Trevyon Henderson.

    Taken from a Reddit conversation among analysts who have watched his film, Henderson is set to have a big role early in his career because of his passing down ability.

    While he has not done it consistently, Henderson has also put together at least one high-level season as a pass catching RB, suggesting high upside in that capacity… The real X Factor is how well he pass protects; teams will trust him to protect the QB, which is unbelievably valuable.

    This could be of particular interest to the Chiefs, who could use an electric pass-catcher out of the backfield. Henderson also had two, nearly three, 1,000 yard rushing seasons and scored double digit rushing touchdowns in three of four seasons at Ohio State. He can do it all, which could make Mahomes very happy.



    Source link

  • Xavier Worthy shines in Super Bowl loss as fiance throws shade at Patrick Mahomes

    Xavier Worthy shines in Super Bowl loss as fiance throws shade at Patrick Mahomes

    The Kansas City Chiefs‘ hopes for an unprecedented three-peat crumbled in Super Bowl LIX. While the team struggled against the Philadelphia Eagles, one player stood out, rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy. The former Texas Longhorn made history with an impressive performance, scoring two touchdowns and setting a new Super Bowl record for receiving yards by a rookie.

    However, it wasn’t just Worthy’s on-field performance that caught attention. His fiance, Tia Jones, took to Instagram to share a clip of his incredible 24-yard touchdown catch, accompanied by a caption that raised eyebrows: “Only one who didn’t disappoint, he deserved it for real.” The comment quickly sparked speculation, with many interpreting it as a subtle dig at Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs‘ struggling offense.

    Xavier Worthy couldn’t shake it off! The Chiefs WR channels Swiftie energy

    Andy Reid’s refusal to adjust cost the Chiefs

    Despite Worthy’s standout performance, the Chiefs‘ offensive strategy left much to be desired. Head coach Andy Reid’s decision to abandon the running game proved costly. The team attempted just 11 rushes compared to 32 passes, with only three runs in the first half.

    The Eagles‘ pass defense ranked among the worst in the league, which may have influenced Reid’s playcalling. However, Mahomes struggled under pressure, throwing two costly interceptions in the first half. Meanwhile, the Chiefs‘ top running backs, Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, combined for just 16 yards on the ground.

    As the Chiefs watched their historic opportunity slip away, Worthy’s late-game heroics provided a small consolation. His 157 receiving yards surpassed the previous rookie Super Bowl record, cementing his place in NFL history. However, for Kansas City, the bigger takeaway was their failure to adapt, an issue that could haunt them heading into the next season.



    Source link

  • Clyde Edwards-Helaire parts ways with Chiefs in surprising announcement

    Clyde Edwards-Helaire parts ways with Chiefs in surprising announcement

    Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has officially been released by the Kansas City Chiefs. The unexpected announcement came directly from the player himself via his X account on Monday afternoon, just minutes before the team confirmed the decision.

    “Love ya KC! A family I didn’t know I needed, y’all made a kid from Baton Rouge’s dreams come true!” Edwards-Helaire wrote in his emotional post. He also expressed gratitude to Chiefs fans, saying, “To Chiefs Kingdom, it’s all love, and the support I had in troubling times will forever be unmatched!”

    Clyde Edwards-Helaire explains how Travis Kelce helps him deal with PTSD

    The 2020 first-round pick, who played a key role during the Chiefs‘ championship runs in Super Bowl LVII and LVIII, had not seen the field in 2024 due to falling down the team’s depth chart. Despite being activated from the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list in October, he didn’t record a single snap this season.

    Related:

    A promising start turned rocky journey

    Edwards-Helaire entered the NFL with high expectations after a standout collegiate career at LSU, where he was a vital part of the historic 2019 Tigers team that included Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson. Selected as the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, he burst onto the scene with a stellar rookie season, recording career highs in rushing yards, touchdowns, and receptions.

    However, his trajectory shifted as injuries and inconsistent performances plagued subsequent seasons. A knee injury in 2021 and increased competition from rookie standout Isiah Pacheco in 2022 further limited his opportunities. By the 2023 season, Kansas City had declined his fifth-year option, signaling uncertainty about his future with the team.

    Though Edwards-Helaire re-signed with the Chiefs in the offseason, his role continued to diminish, ultimately leading to his release. Over his four-year NFL career, he has accumulated 1,845 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, and 765 receiving yards with seven receiving touchdowns.

    What’s next for Edwards-Helaire?

    As of now, no NFL teams have been publicly linked to Edwards-Helaire, leaving his next move uncertain. At just 24 years old, the talented running back still has time to reignite his career. His farewell to Kansas City marks the end of a chapter filled with both triumph and challenges.

    For Chiefs fans, Edwards-Helaire’s contributions to two Super Bowl victories will remain part of the team’s storied history, even as the running back looks toward a fresh start.



    Source link

  • Pacheco fractures fibula and 'sours' Patrick Mahomes' birthday: Another problem for Andy Reid

    Pacheco fractures fibula and 'sours' Patrick Mahomes' birthday: Another problem for Andy Reid

    The Kansas City Chiefs continued their strong start to the NFL season on Sunday, though it came at a cost, as starting running back Isiah Pacheco is set to miss a sizeable chunk of the season after picking up an injury.

    The Chiefs improved to 2-0 after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-25 thanks to a last second field goal from Harrison Butker.

    Unfortunately for KC and coach Andy Reid, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapport reports that initial tests showed that Pacheco fractured his fibula in the game.

    The running back is set to undergo more tests to determine the extent of the damage, like whether there are ligament issues, meaning KC will have to wait before assessing how much time he will miss.

    Nevertheless, the expectation is that Pacheco will be played on injured reserve and miss quite a bit of time. The typical recovery time for a fractured fibula is four to eight weeks, meaning the Chiefs will likely be without Pacheco for at least a month.

    When did Pacheco pick up the injury

    Pacheco left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter, and was later spotted leaving Arrowhead Stadium in a walking boot and crutches.

    He finished the game with 90 yards on 19 rushes, along with 21 yards on five catches.

    The news is all the more disappointing for the Chiefs given they are expected to without receiver Hollywood Brown for the entire regular season, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire is also on the reserve/non-football illness list.

    When it comes to replacing Pacheco, Andy Reid could give a bigger role to Samaja Perine, who was signed and has played a pass-catching role so far.

    Undrafted rookie Carson Steele saw an increased role in the closing stages of Sunday’s game, while KC may also consider bringing back Jerick McKinnon, who is currently a free agent.



    Source link

  • Patrick Mahomes confident statement about Chiefs' new addition to boost offensive power

    Patrick Mahomes confident statement about Chiefs' new addition to boost offensive power

    Since Patrick Mahomes joined the Kansas City Chiefs, the team has experienced the best period in its storied history. Before his arrival, they had won only one Super Bowl (IV) in 1969. Now, they have added three more titles and are the eighth team in NFL history with a chance to achieve a three-peat. Remarkably, last season, the defense outshined the offense, steering the team through most of the season.

    This year, with Travis Kelce, Isiah Pacheco, and a new corps of receivers, the offense is expected to return to form. Last season, due to a lack of reliable receivers, Travis Kelce faced double coverage in almost every game, though it hardly slowed him down. Rookie Rashee Rice took some time to find his footing but ended up with the most postseason receptions by a rookie, with 26. This season, the Chiefs add an intriguing new element: former rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit. Mahomes had this to say about their new addition: “We’re starting him at running back. He is gonna do a lot of special teams stuff”.

    “He catches it like he’s catching a rugby ball, but he never drops the football.” While preseason optimism is high, the true test will come when the games begin. Andy Reid’s ingenuity will undoubtedly play a role in utilizing Rees-Zammit effectively. Rees-Zammit joined the NFL through the International Pathway program, and it will be fascinating to watch his adaptation and see if he secures a spot on the final 53-man roster. As the favorites to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the Chiefs are a team that doesn’t necessarily need to experiment with new ideas, but they are doing so anyway.

    What is the NFL’s International Pathway?

    According to the NFL, “Established in 2017, the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) program aims to provide elite athletes from around the world the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster and increase the number of international players in the league.” The program is designed to promote American football globally. While the NFL’s popularity and revenue are already substantial, the league lags behind other major sports leagues like the NBA, MLB, and MLS in terms of international player representation. This initiative helps bridge that gap by introducing more international talent to the league.



    Source link

  • Pacheco wants to show Spanish fans “real football” if Chiefs make it to Madrid in 2025

    Pacheco wants to show Spanish fans “real football” if Chiefs make it to Madrid in 2025

    On Wednesday, during a press conference ahead of this Sunday’sSuper Bowl, Kansas City Chiefs’ running back Isiah Pacheco confessed his wish to play “real football” in case the team makes it out to Spain for the 2025 NFL international series of games.

    RELATED:

    Pacheco, who is from Puerto Rican and Dominican ascent, was asked if he liked soccer the running back expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing in Madrid saying “Yes. Hey, I want to play. So if it’s us and I hope it’s us, we can come down there and show them real football.”

    Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco jokes about playing “Real Football” after NFL game in Spain plans

    The Chiefs’ star was also asked what he thought of Real Madrid’s new stadium, the rumored location chosen to host the https://www.marca.com/en/nfl.html?intcmp=MENUPROD&s_kw=en-nfl first game in Spain if the idea materializes.

    While Pacheco said he didn’t know much about it, he did acknowledge that he heard they had a new stadium saying “I hear they had a new stadium coming. I am excited.”.

    Pacheco ready to face 49ers’ defense

    Another hot topic of conversation fielded by Pacheco referred to his now-famous running style.

    The 24-year-old running back, who appeared relaxed throughout his exchange with the media, commented about his “angry style” of running and his approach to take advantage of his speed.

    “That starts with practice at the beginning of the week when we prepare. I go out there with a full head of steam knowing the down and distance, getting 4 yards or whatever it may be to win the down,” he said.

    When asked about facing the 49ers formidable defense, Pacheco remained confident in his skills to overcome any scheme they throw at him but praised them nonetheless “It’s a great defense over there,” Pacheco said. “I’m looking forward to competing against them. All 11 guys fly to the ball.”

    And while Pacheco’s stats for the 2023 regular season are not Top 10 worthy, with 935 yards in 205 carries and seven touchdowns, his performance in the postseason was invaluable in getting the Chiefs to the Super Bowl.



    Source link