Why the Chiefs are finally going under center (and why it matters now)

Why does being under center matter?

Football is cyclical. We often see patterns and shifts in trends across the sport over time. Over the last 10 years, the passing game has exploded with the incorporation of Air Raid concepts, RPOs, and the QB run game. All of these concepts are best executed from shotgun or pistol formations. The days of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning taking a pure three-step drop from under center seemed to be over. However, that’s started to change.

With defenses getting lighter and faster to match all the skill players and dynamic concepts on the field, running the ball has become more profitable. Across the league, most of the best offenses rely on a strong running game and utilize plenty of under-center formations. Part of this benefits the running game, as the back gets a running start toward the gap before the ball is in their hands. It also provides more time to read gaps and follow blocks. Additionally, it offers a purer play-action element to the passing game. Play action out of shotgun is simply easier to see where the ball is, whereas when the quarterback turns their back to the defense, there’s more natural deception.

Additionally, with quarterbacks’ movement skills dramatically improved in today’s game, under-center plays get them on the move. That can help disguise a QB run, incorporate a bootleg, or even provide a moving pocket to help manage pressure. All of these are purposeful ways teams use under-center plays to make life easier on their quarterback.

It’s no coincidence that the Chiefs’ offense has looked improved over the last three weeks, partly due to the run game getting going. Even with Mahomes being the leading rusher in Jacksonville, the Chiefs’ ground game has at least become viable. Chiefs running backs averaged 5.9 yards per attempt against what was the No. 3 defense against the run coming in. The Chiefs also got two explosive runs from their running backs, which is a rarity.

Over the last three weeks, the Chiefs averaged 6.5 yards per carry from under center, with 171 rushing yards. It’s not just the run game either. They’ve averaged over 8.3 yards per attempt for 95 yards and two touchdowns from under center in the last three games.

So, if the Chiefs seem so effective under center, why do they rank 26th in the NFL in under-center snaps? Also of note, the teams behind them—the Giants, Bengals, and Falcons—have been objectively bad offenses, while the Commanders and Eagles have unique systems based around their QB run games. Why can’t the Chiefs utilize under center more? It fits their personnel well, too, as they have real body movers along the offensive line (Suamataia, Humphrey, and Smith), and it helps with some of Pacheco’s shortcomings with vision.

Some of this goes back to the roots of the Chiefs’ offense. Andy Reid, a disciple of the Bill Walsh/Mike Holmgren West Coast offense, continually wants to stretch the field horizontally in the quick passing game. There’s also Patrick Mahomes, who had never taken snaps under center when he came to Kansas City. Notice that the Commanders have run a hilariously low number of snaps from under center. Guess who their offensive coordinator is? Former Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury, an Air Raid guy who helped develop Mahomes into who he is today.

Another reason why the under-center game is limited is personnel. Often, the offenses that utilize it best have fullbacks and tight ends who are impactful blockers. The Chiefs haven’t utilized a fullback much since Michael Burton, and Travis Kelce and Noah Gray aren’t players you want to count on down in and down out as blockers. Another element to this is the addition of Rashee Rice looming. Last year, when Rice was thriving early in the season, the Chiefs used quite a bit of empty formations.

Part of the reason the Chiefs leaned into empty formations with Rice is that so many of their players thrive over the middle of the field. By lining up 2x3 or 3x2, they essentially create two or three slot roles in the formation, which is valuable for Rice, Worthy, Brown, and Kelce, who all excel with free releases off the line of scrimmage. Even with the return of Rashee Rice, though, the Chiefs need to continue exploring under-center action, especially now that they have the closest thing to two X receivers in Rice and Thornton.

Ultimately, the goal for the Chiefs’ offense is to make life as easy as possible for Patrick Mahomes. Between the improvement in the run game and the effect that under-center play action can have, the Chiefs have to continue to explore it. Especially considering they have yet to throw a non–play-action pass from under center all year, a pure 3–5-step dropback could be a great tendency breaker for the offense. Regardless of formation, the Chiefs’ offense has to be elite to climb back into the division race.