The work is picking up for the Kansas City Chiefs rookies at training camp, while a few veterans have joined ahead of schedule. Veteran players use the extra days at the Missouri Western State University campus in St. Joseph, Missouri, to shake off the offseason rust and handle nagging injuries.
Isiah Pacheco was a breakout star last season for the Chiefs emerging as more than a seventh-round selection in 2022. Pacheco became the starting running back midway through the season, helping to balance the offense on the way to a Super Bowl title.
The second-year running back spoke with reporters on Thursday about the advice he has given to this year’s crop of rookies trying to make their names in camp and his thoughts on undrafted running back Deneric Prince.
“Just taking it day-by-day,” said Pacheco, “So like I said it, rookies, take it day-by-day. You’ve just got to keep detailing your notes and find more ways to get better every day.”
Prince was an undrafted addition to the Chiefs’ roster following the 2023 NFL draft, garnering plenty of attention throughout the team’s OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Pacheco had noticed one specific thing about the rookie out of Tulsa.
“He’s good. He’s going to keep working. There’s more to come. There’s more to learn,” Pacheco said of Prince, “And like I said, it’s day-by-day. It takes time, but he’s working hard. He’s a good worker, and that’s what we do. We work hard.”
It would seem that Prince is fitting right in with the group of hard workers that Kansas City has acquired. Pacheco is focused on building on his 2022 season, with his health taking a turn for the better at the onset of training camp. The competition in the running backs room will be an interesting watch throughout the remainder of camp and the preseason.
