Chiefs solved a recurring problem with Andy Reid's offense in preseason Week 1 vs. Jaguars

In preseason Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, it appears the Kansas City Chiefs have found a solution to a recurring problem from the past several seasons.

Short-yardage plays have been a struggle for Andy Reid's offense ever since the quarterback sneak got torn from the pages of the playbook in Denver in 2019. That came after star QB Patrick Mahomes suffered a dislocated kneecap on a freak incident during a quarterback sneak play. Kansas City Star columnist Sam McDowell wrote this of short-yardage plays in October of 2023:

Since the onset of 2022, the Chiefs have converted on third or fourth downs with 1 or 2 yards to go only 62.3% of the time. That ranks 22nd in the league.

The Chiefs have tried to get creative on short-yardage plays with unique playcalling, using motion and direct snaps to RBs and TEs, but when push came to shove they simply couldn't line up and convert short-yardage plays consistently. So, what was different in preseason Week 1 against the Jaguars?

Chiefs' young RBs shine in short-yardage work against Jacksonville Jaguars

A pair of Chiefs running backs really seemed to shine in short-yardage situations during the second quarter of the game on Saturday.

First, second-year RB Deneric Prince had a two-yard carry. On the broadcast, they indicated that Prince converted to pick up a fourth-and-inches play. The NFL later corrected the play to a two-yard carry that took place on first down, giving the team a first down on the 8-yard reception from Irv Smith Jr. the play prior. Regardless, the short-yardage success still stood and it seems like the play was called with a fourth-and-short in mind.

Perhaps the most impressive short-yardage play came from FB/RB Carson Steele . He took a quick power hand-off for a one-yard touchdown scamper. Everyone knew it was coming and it didn't matter in the slightest. Check it out:

This is only the preseason and it happened with the second-team offensive line in the game, playing against the Jaguars' second-team defensive line. However, this is welcomed progress on a type of play that has given the Chiefs some headaches in the past.

The trick is to continue to build confidence in the short-yardage plays during the preseason with Isiah Pacheco, Deneric Prince, and Carson Steele. The last thing you want to do is begin overthinking the situation when the regular season starts and the decisions made begin to count the most.

Related: Chiefs suffer consequences of tempting fate on the opening offensive play of the preseason