‘Take it Full Speed’: Chiefs running backs firing on all cylinders during Training Camp.

ST JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- After the Chiefs used four different running backs throughout the season in 2024, the Chiefs used the off-season to bolster their running back room.

You can't talk about Chiefs running backs without mentioning Isiah Pacheco. While injuries derailed his 2024 season, Pacheco is still the number one running back on the team.

He was a projected seventh rounder going into the draft despite running the fastest 40-yard dash by a running back at 4.37 seconds.

NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein said in Pacheco's draft profile that he "could give himself a better chance of becoming an RB2/3 if he steps up his pass protection and third down value."

Drafted by the Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft, Pacheco got his chance to play in 2022 when former Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was sidelined by a high ankle spian.

Pacheco took his opportunity and ran with it. Starting in 11 games in 2022 he solidified himself as the top back on the team, and he carried that momentum into 2023 and 2024.

In week two of the 2024 season, Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula which derailed his season. Pacheco talked to media about how used the off-season to get back to one hundred percent.

"I didn't play too much football so it's my time to get back on the grind," Pacheco said. "Just took advantage of that off-season."

While Pacheco was out, the Chiefs brought back a familiar face in Kareem Hunt, whom they drafted back in 2017.

Hunt's rookie season with the Chiefs was incredible to say the least. In his first game with the Chiefs against Tom Brady's Patriots, Hunt showed out.

He had 148 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown while adding five receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns as the Chiefs would beat the Patriots 42-27.

In his rookie season, Hunt would rush for over 1300 yards. He had every Chiefs fan believing he was the next Jamaal Charles.

After his rookie season he has yet to touch 1000 yards in a season. He was cut from the Chiefs in 2018 and has not been the same since, dealing with injuries during his time in Cleveland.

But since rejoining the Chiefs, Hunt has come full circle and couldn't be happier.

"God must've had his hand on my shoulder or something," Hunt said to media. "It's crazy how things go full circle."

When he rejoined the team in Pacheco's absence, he rushed for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the team.

Hunt recently re-signed to the Chiefs in March of this year on a one-year deal.

The two new faces in the running back room are Elijah Mitchell and Brashard Smith.

Mitchell signed with the Chiefs in March after spending all of last season off the field due to an MCL tear, and Smith was drafted in the seventh round of this year's NFL draft.

Mitchell has dealt with injuries early in his career but is a serviceable backup for if Hunt or Pacheco were to go down win an injury. He has yet to be healthy for a full season but is looking to change that.

When he spoke to media after training camp on Friday, Mitchell talked about the challenges of dealing with injuries and what you need to do to move past it.

"Any time you get injured it's challenging. But it happens," Mitchell said. "Once you get back out there, take it full speed."

Brashard Smith was drafted in the seventh round of this year's NFL draft after an outstanding season at Southern Methodist University (SMU).

At SMU Smith ran for over 1300 yards and helping lead SMU to their first College Football Playoff appearance where they lost to the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Dave Toub said that he's excited about Smith as a punt returner.

"I'm excited for Brashard, he keeps getting better and better," Toub said. "He didn't do it a lot in college so it's new to him, but he's a really great catcher."

All four of these running backs have received good looks in training camp and the chemistry is going to continue to build as the camp progresses through August. Every running back is hungry to improve on their game as well as make an impact in a Chiefs offense that desperately needs a great run game.