Veteran RB posts message after reported release

The Kansas City Chiefs parted ways with fifth-year running back La’Mical Perine on May 17, according to KPRC2 NFL insider Aaron Wilson.

Less than an hour after the news broke, Perine took to social media with a brief message that seemed related. “Accept victories and defeats, but learn from each move…” he wrote.

Perine is a former fourth-round selection of the New York Jets in 2020. He first signed with the Chiefs organization late in the 2022 campaign in January 2023 after practice games with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins.

With Kansas City, Perine took the field three times during the regular season with 59 snaps on offense and another 55 snaps on special teams according to Pro Football Reference. He was also active in three playoff appearances in the winter of 2024, earning a Super Bowl ring for his efforts.

Because of his veteran feel and special teams abilities, Perine was elevated ahead of undrafted rookie Deneric Prince in 2023. Although he was quickly overshadowed by new additions like Keaontay Ingram last year and rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit this spring.

Perine finished his Chiefs career with 77 rushing yards (3.5 per carry), 33 receiving yards and four first downs. He didn’t find his way into the end zone during his limited opportunity in KC.

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Chiefs RB2 role could be wide open in 2024

Third-year pro Isiah Pacheco is once again the bell cow halfback heading into the 2024 season. That much is clear.

Beyond that, the running back room appears wide open with Clyde Edwards-Helaire as the most experienced running back behind Pacheco.

There’s the aforementioned Ingram — a former sixth-round talent from the Arizona Cardinals who general manager Brett Veach called out to reporters after the NFL Draft. And of course, Rees-Zammit, Wales’ new Swiss army knife.

From there, the Chiefs have amassed a collection of priority UDFAs over the past two offseasons. Prince still remains in the 2023 class, with intriguing prospects Emani Bailey and Carson Steele joining him in 2024.

UDFA companion Hassan Hall completes the room. And there’s always a chance Kansas City brings veteran staff favorite Jerick McKinnon back around mandatory minicamp — like they’ve done in the past.

The well-rounded depth makes for an interesting training camp competition at the position. This also meant Perine was replaceable in May.

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Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco has decent shot in first 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024

Pacheco improved from year one to year two despite three fewer appearances last season. A lot of that has to do with the Chiefs’ confidence in him, given that his rushing attempts per game have increased from 10.0 to 14.6.

With more opportunities, the seventh-round sleeper was able to increase his yards per game average up to 66.8 in 2023, 18 yards more than his rookie production.

He also reached the end zone more — with nine total touchdowns compared to five — and ran for 16 more first downs.

Much of Pacheco’s development in year two took place as a receiver. As a freshman, the Rutgers star was targeted just 14 times, catching 13 of those passes for 130 yards.

Patrick Mahomes, however, used Pacheco much more as a pass catcher in 2023, targeting him 49 times with huge results (44 catches for 244 yards). The dual-threat impact increased his scrimmage yardage total well above 1,000 as a sophomore, but Pacheco fell just short in the rushing department.

Finishing with 935 rushing yards in 2023, it wouldn’t be a stretch to predict that Pacheco will cross the 1,000 rushing yard mark for the first time in campaign #3. The key will be staying healthy – something that kept him from achieving this feat a season ago.