Patrick Mahomes’ former Chiefs lineman calls out Isiah Pacheco, ‘don’t bury your head…’

Former Chiefs OT Mitchell Schwartz calls out Isiah Pacheco for failing to make the most of running lanes

The Chiefs’ Week 2 game against the Philadelphia Eagles was huge. Mahomes and company were dominated by the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and needed to prove they were still a threat when the rematch came around on Sunday afternoon.

While the game was close, there were elements of the Chiefs’ performance that fell way short of the mark for any team looking to return to the Super Bowl.

One of those issues was the run game, which so far this season has not looked good at all. It’s one of the problems fans feel the franchise has neglected, largely due to cap constraints with the current roster.

Patrick Mahomes was the lead rusher in the game with seven scrambles for 66 yards and a rushing touchdown. Kareem Hunt struggled, but Isiah Pacheco played badly, and he’s since been called out for his performance.

On a third and two in the red zone, Pacheco missed an open lane and bundled into the back of his offensive line before being pulled down by an Eagles defender.

Mitchell Schwartz, who won a Super Bowl playing tackle for the Chiefs, spoke about the play on X.

“It’s 3rd and 2. WTF are we doing? This is the definition of running to darkness. Follow the highest paid C/G in the NFL ejecting one of the best DTs on the combo block and run through the LB if you need to. Don’t bury your head and run into the backside guard’s back.”

He continued:

“There are plenty of things wrong with the run game. Bad blocking, questionable schemes, well planned and timed run blitzes, everything. But man if it’s 3rd and 2 and you have a basic look and both double teams are good and you can’t convert, your run game doesn’t have a chance.”

Pacheco had ten carries in the game and only totaled 22 rushing yards. He averaged a poor 2.2 yards per carry and clearly isn’t seeing the game well right now when he gets his touches.

Chiefs neglecting the run game is costing them, with sub-par standards not scaring teams at all

The Chiefs haven’t had a standout running back for years, and haven’t prioritized the position since they drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the first round of the 2020 draft.

Pacheco was a seventh-round draft pick who has had some sensational games for the Chiefs, but his form hasn’t been up to standard for a while now. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry in 2024, and is averaging 3.1 so far in 2025.

Opposition teams don’t fear explosive runs because the Chiefs aren’t capable of them, which makes life harder for Patrick Mahomes and the pass game.

There were many options available in the 2025 draft in what was a remarkably deep class at the position. Sadly, the Chiefs waited until the seventh round before they added anybody, selecting Brashard Smith out of SMU.