Chiefs' Second-Year Players Isaiah Pacheco and Trent McDuffie Settling into New Roles
Pacheco and McDuffie spoke to the media after practice August. 7
Craig McMullen
The Kansas City Chiefs had eight rookies during the 2022 Super Bowl run.
One of those players is running back Isiah Pacheco who is preparing for his second season with the reigning Super Bowl champions.
Pacheco has been going through training camp wearing the no-contact yellow jersey as he works on returning from the hand and shoulder injury he suffered during the 2022 season. He says it has been frustrating watching from the sidelines but it has been helping him learn.
“When you are on the side and getting in those mental reps, it allows me to stay on top of my task.” Pacheco said.
Pacheco has quickly become a fan favorite in Kansas City after putting up 830 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2022. He was asked about what he wants to improve on going into 2023.
“Just finding the little things and pinpointing those to get better,” Pacheco said. “Understanding the blocking schemes a lot better than last year, slowing down the tempo and allow myself to see the hole.”
Pacheco said that he has been helping and giving tips to the rookie class this year with his experience as a rookie last year.
“We got some younger guys asking me questions like how to take care of their bodies,” Pacheco said. ”I don’t have a problem with sharing that information with that younger player to allow them to be the best they can be.”
Cornerback Trent McDuffie is also going into his second season with the Chiefs and has been going up against second year wide receiver Skyy Moore during training camp.
McDuffie said that he has seen a huge improvement in Moore and that has helped him as a corner.
“You talk about his quickness, his speed off the line, his routes and just his hands. Overall, how he’s become a better receiver in this league is something I looked at and has helped me a ton,” McDuffie said.
He said that there is nothing missing from this year compared to last year and the teams relationship has improved after winning the Super Bowl.
“I feel like we have come really close to one another,” McDuffie said. “Coming into training camp, it feels like nothing has gone missing. Everybody’s confident and excited to go out there and play and that’s something you get to feed off of each and every day.”
