The Kansas City Chiefs have relied on several running backs over the course of the 2022 season, but veteran Jerick McKinnon has started to cement himself as the most reliable in their talented backfield. Through his tenacious running and explosive burst with the ball in his hand, McKinnon has become a favorite option for Patrick Mahomes in the passing game and has proven to be a capable runner when the Chiefs choose to keep the ball on the ground.
Offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy commented on McKinnon’s progression in his system on Wednesday at the Chiefs media availability session and told reporters that the team has always had a high opinion of the running back’s abilities.
“We always knew Jerick [McKinnon] was a – and I’ll say this, he’s a very, very good football player that happens to play the running back position,” Bieniemy explained. “And that’s been Jerick’s story his whole entire career. Obviously, he had some injuries when he went to San Fran [with the 49ers], he did a heck of a job when he was with the Minnesota Vikings. We knew all about him when he was coming out of college.
“In fact, I know at the time Coach [Bob] Sutton liked him as a nickel defensive back [and] we liked him as a runner as well. But Jerick is doing a great job. Jerick is doing everything that we expected him to do and that’s just who he is. He’s the ultimate professional [and] he does a great job of working it on the field but the thing I don’t think he probably gets enough credit for is just his leadership that he provides [and] being an example of what it takes to be a professional to all the young players in our room.”
Kansas City will continue to rely on McKinnon to gain them valuable yards both as a rusher and receiver through the rest of their 2022 schedule as they look to get back into position to secure the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Expect his contributions to be crucial to their success in that endeavor, and for him to continue developing within the Chiefs’ legendary offense.
