KC Chiefs Feeling ‘Lucky’ to Have Jerick McKinnon Back for Another Year

The Chiefs are grateful for keeping a proven veteran presence around in the backfield once again as Jerick McKinnon goes through another training camp in St. Joe.

The Kansas City Chiefs' running back room got flipped upside down over the course of the 2022 season, but one player was a steady force that turned in some unexpectedly positive production: veteran Jerick McKinnon.

In his age-30 campaign, the backup to Isiah Pacheco posted career-best marks in receptions (56), receiving yards (512), receiving touchdowns (nine) and total touchdowns (10). He then re-signed with Kansas City right in conjunction with his 31st birthday, keeping a highly experienced halfback in the room and providing some additional depth to supplement Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and (potentially) undrafted free agent pickup Deneric Prince.

Early in yet another training camp for one of the league's oldest active running backs, the Chiefs are making it very clear that they're excited and grateful to have McKinnon back in the fold for what will be his third year with the team. When asked following Tuesday's practice about McKinnon's evolution into an effective player, head coach Andy Reid sang the former third-round pick's praises by citing his versatility and intelligence.

“He’s smart," Reid said. "He was a legitimate quarterback in college on a good team. Then he got in the league, and he had some productive years, injuries got him there for a bit. You know, we’re lucky enough to get him here. He’s just solid, somebody that you trust in everything he does, all phases of the game. So, he plays special teams, he can do everything.”

While McKinnon is a stabilizer of sorts for Kansas City's running back unit, even he has faced his fair share of bumps in the road. This past season, he was a recurring member of the club's injury report with various ailments all throughout his body. While he managed to stay in well enough shape to play in all 17 regular season games and all three playoff outings, it was a challenge. Somehow, even as he aged, it didn't come close to holding a candle to other times in his career.

Due to serious knee injuries, McKinnon didn't log a single snap in either of the 2018 or 2019 seasons. Crippling knee issues derail many running backs' careers, and that's with just one instance being the case. McKinnon dealt with being on the shelf twice and did so in consecutive seasons, and he's continuing to extend his career in what could be viewed as a second act. He attributes that perseverance to his will, his faith and a strong support system. 

“My will," McKinnon said. "My heart. That’s a tough injury to come back from, you’ve seen some guys come back better than before, and you’ve seen some guys not come back better than before. You know, that’s just the testament, the will, God; believing in God, family, friends, close ones, my teammates, everybody just contributed and piled into me and was the driver of motivation."

Also speaking on Tuesday, quarterback Patrick Mahomes raved about McKinnon as "the type of player you need on this team" and someone "you can trust that can make plays whenever it counts." That trust is evident, as the Mahomes-McKinnon duo linked up for the third-most completions and the fourth-most yards among all combinations in Reid's offense last season. Even with McKinnon being on the field for just under half of the team's offensive snaps (47%), he and Mahomes developed some of the best quarterback-running back chemistry in the entire league.

With Pacheco now entering year No. 2 on the job and Edwards-Helaire coming off of a healthy offseason, the Chiefs are expected to boast a solid stable of halfback options once the 2023 season kicks off. Prince, who has been shining during camp as a pass-catcher despite not being used in that fashion much in college, is also a potential candidate to make the team. Far and away the oldest member of the group, though, McKinnon will be relied on once again to help the team both on and off the field. He played a massive role in the success of Pacheco as a rookie, and Mahomes made sure to remind everyone that having a veteran of McKinnon's caliber is a great opportunity.

"People talk about a vet, someone you learn from," Mahomes said. "I think the definition is him, obviously he can go out there and make it happen. You see who makes the biggest plays in the biggest moments in the season, you love having those guys. He’s not – I guess the word is selfish, he’s not keeping all that knowledge to himself, he’s telling everybody. Guys like Travis Kelce are the same way, it’s not about just being the greatest player you can be it’s about making the team great. And he’s one of those players that make the entire team great."

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