Chiefs backfield plans are changing fast and Brashard Smith is the reason

For Kansas City Chiefs fans hungry to see more of the new guy in the backfield, you're in luck. That's exactly the plan, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano, who says he's been told the Chiefs will continue to feature more of rookie running back Brashard Smith as the team turns its attention to its October slate.

Smith was the Chiefs final selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. General manager Brett Veach traded two late seventh-round picks to move up near the top of the same round to get Smith, a former wide receiver turned running back who became a centerpiece of the SMU offense in his lone season for the Mustangs.

The Chiefs were slow to bring Smith into the offensive fold, which is entirely understandable for such a late-round rookie still learning the nuances of the position. In fact, that Smith has been able to carve out an increasing amount of reps at all is its own success story.

In the Chiefs' Week 4 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Smith played in 19 snaps and it was clear from the usage rates, when compared with Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt, that K.C. is envisioning more of a committee approach at the position going forward. Smith responded with 36 total yards from scrimmage in limited opportunities.

Reports say Smith is going to be getting more and more work going forward for the Chiefs.

Back to Graziano's report. He writes, "Chiefs rookie running back Brashard Smith has seen more involvement in the offense in recent weeks and I'm told to expect that to continue," wrote Graziano. Fans will be glad to hear that news since Smith has the greatest potential to raise the ceiling of anyone at the position.

That backs up what Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said earlier this week:" I know offensively, [Matt Nagy, offensive coordinator] is just trying to increase Smith’s reps every week and putting him in positions where he can do some things. He seems to be handling it good."

Patrick Mahomes also weighed in on what Smith offers the Chiefs. "I think he's done a great job, you know, it's just like any other rookie in this offense. You kind of give him more and more each and every week, and he's done a good job of taking it in and going out there and executing at a high level, and so we'll continue to do that."

Mahomes also pointed to Smith's versatile offensive background as a plus for the Chiefs. Smith learned the running back role at SMU after playing wide receiver at Miami (Fl.) for his first three seasons in college.

"It helps that he's played receiver a lot, so he can run routes, and he also played running back, so you run between the tackles, and those are special football players to have because it keeps the defenses guessing, and that's what you want to do," Mahomes continued. "You want them on their heels and then be able to attack them in a variety of different ways."

Elijah Mitchell is stalled as a healthy scratch each week, and the internal opinions there can't be too strong. Pacheco and Hunt are known quantities with clear limitations. Unless the Chiefs make a move for outside help, the best bet for any upgrade to a struggling unit is for Smith to blossom into something useful.