Kansas City Chiefs Newcomer Ronald Jones Is Battling For A Roster Spot

Ronald Jones was one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ exciting additions to the offense this offseason.

Many observers still expect him to make the team, but he’s not the lock that one would have expected.

The running back is batting for playing time at a one of the deepest position groups on the Chiefs’ talent-laden roster.

In their first preseason game — a 19-14 loss to the Chicago Bears — the Chiefs started Clyde Edwards-Helaire at running back. Then rookie Isiah Pacheco entered on the eighth offensive play and also served as a kick returner in the game.

The rotation of the running backs at training camp practice behind Edwards-Helaire has been in flux. But lately Jerick McKinnon, who played just one offensive snap against the Bears, and Pacheco have been getting reps ahead of the veteran Jones.

“Yeah, some days he gets more than other days. But he’s taking advantage of the chances he’s getting and working hard,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said last week. “But he’ll have a chance to play. We’ll just see how he does.”

Jones didn’t enter the Bears game until the second quarter and gained just one yard on four total rushing attempts.

Perhaps more disconcerting than Jones’ rushing was his blocking. On the Chiefs’ second drive of the third quarter, he was no help against rookie defensive end Dominique Robinson, who sacked Shane Buechele for a loss of 12 yards. On the ensuing play, Jones lost a yard while rushing to the right side.

The Chiefs likely will keep just three to four running backs — not including fullback Michael Burton — on the final roster.

Jones’ contract is not onerous enough that he can be considered safe to make the roster. His one year, $1.5 million contract with the Chiefs includes $750,000 guaranteed.

Battling it out with Jones is Gore, who is on a one-year, $825,000 deal. He rushed for 256 yards in 11 games in his NFL debut season last year but did not do himself any favors on Saturday.

Entering the game after Jones, Gore got his first action on the second drive of the second quarter. On his first carry, he lost two yards on first and 10. On the third-to-last Chiefs offensive play of the first half, he dropped a pass.

Then, most egregiously, on the third drive of third quarter, Gore fumbled on second and seven. The fumble was forced by former Chiefs defensive lineman Mike Pennel.

Gore suffered a neck injury in the second half. Fortunately, it did not seem serious.

In the first half, he led all running backs with 15 plays followed by Pacheco with eight, Edwards-Helaire with seven, Jones with six and McKinnon with one.

Despite receiving all of those reps, Gore’s status — even more so than Jones’ — is in peril due to the emergence of Pacheco.

The seventh-round draft pick (251st overall) out of Rutgers gained six yards on two carries against the Bears.

“He ran hard and played fast,” Reid said. “He did a nice job.”

Pacheco’s best play was his reception for five yards, which came on a first-and-goal situation, demonstrating the Chiefs’ interest in wanting to evaluate him at a critical juncture. On that reception he broke a tackle of Bears defensive back Lamar Jackson. The Chiefs scored a touchdown the next play.

Wearing Tyreek Hill’s former jersey number, Pacheco is one of two Chiefs backs from Rutgers. The other is Burton, who had heard stories of Pacheco’s skill when he went back to observe the Red Knights’ spring practice a few years ago.

Pacheco’s now earning rave reviews at Chiefs training camp practices.

“He practices really hard,” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “He has all the physical tools and he’s been mentally great.”

And he’s putting the future of some of the other proven Chiefs running backs in jeopardy.