Kansas City Chiefs Seek Offense Identity Against Winless Giants

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs are still searching for their offensive identity as they prepare to face the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. After starting the season 0-2, the Chiefs are grappling with a struggling running game that offensive coordinator Matt Nagy acknowledged needs improvement.

Speaking after Thursday’s practice, Nagy said the coaching staff must do better in helping running backs understand when to exploit openings in the defense. “There [are] some runs where I think we all see that,” he explained. “It’s our job as coaches to make sure that [the backs] understand where that’s at.”

Through the first two weeks of the season, the Chiefs have managed only 219 total rushing yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads the team with 123 rushing yards, showcasing the team’s reliance on him. In contrast, running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt have struggled, each managing only 47 yards in their respective carries.

Nagy emphasized that a successful running game does not hinge on one player alone. “Some games are different for other guys,” he said. “We don’t have anything in particular where we’re like, ‘We’ve got to get one guy or the other more carries.’” He likened running backs to basketball shooters, noting they can get hot and should be rewarded with more opportunities.

As the season progresses, establishing a robust ground game is crucial for the Chiefs. Nagy highlighted that any quarterback’s best ally is a strong running game. However, the Chiefs may not fully resemble other teams, tending to favor more dropback passes than play-action plays.

In addition to addressing the running game, the Chiefs are working to define their overall offensive identity. The absence of key players in the receiving corps has also hindered efforts to create a balanced attack. The return of wide receiver Xavier Worthy may help open the field, but Nagy acknowledged that clarity in identity is essential for moving forward.

<p“We’re really trying to evaluate what we’re best at,” he stated. “The sooner you find that identity on offense with the players you have, the better you can be.” As the Chiefs look for their first win of the season, establishing a clear offensive strategy will be vital against a similarly struggling Giants team.