Ex-NFL Star Rodney Harrison Reveals Telling Chiefs Statistics

The Kansas City Chiefs' ground game has been interesting this season, and this former NFL star dives into some big statistics that have led Kansas City to both wins and losses.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (29) scores a rushing touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It's been said time and time again, the Kansas City Chiefs' ground game this season has been very hit or miss. Through the first nine weeks of the 2025 NFL campaign, the Chiefs' running back room ranks 12th in the NFL in average rushing yards per game, but it's much more than that.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes had been the Chiefs' leading rushing leader before Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt started to find their footing. The Chiefs have played in several close games, which have warranted a ton of passing plays, but the running plays haven't been as explosive as some would like.

Former NFL safety Rodney Harrison dove into the successes and failures of the Chiefs' ground game attack this season, specifically what happens when the rush is utilized.

Harrison's Thoughts

• "Against the Raiders, the Chiefs ran the ball 41 times, right? They score 31 points. They win. Against the Commanders. They run the ball 30 times. They score 28 points. They win. Against the Jaguars, the running backs touch the ball 15 times. They lose. And Mahomes is the leading rusher. That's just not that's just not the right formula," Harrison said.

Sep 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; NBC Sportscasters Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison before the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

It's safe to say that Harrison isn't a fan of how the Chiefs have used their running backs this season, which he detailed to Jac Collinsworth and Tony Dungy following their Week 9 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

• "They become they've become so one-dimensional, waiting for Mahomes to go back there and always work his magic. To me, when they're running the football, they're running downhill."

Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

• "They're play action passing, getting the ball out quick and then taking shots, that's when this offense is at its best. And at times, Andy Reid just shies away from the run game, and he wants to make it all about Mahomes."

Pacheco leads the Chiefs with 329 rushing yards this season, scoring one touchdown, followed by Hunt with 294 yards and five touchdowns. Going into the latter half of the campaign, if the Chiefs continue to lean one-dimensional, it could come back to bite them where the sun doesn't shine.

Dec 31, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The franchise hasn't had a running back surpass 1,000 rushing yards since Hunt did so in 2017.

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