Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco clearly needed a fresh start after an underwhelming 2025 season.
Pacheco finished with a single touchdown and, for the second straight season, averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry, continuing the downturn he's been on since dealing with an injury-marred 2024 season. The lack of explosive plays and frustration with the inability to lean on the run game made it clear it was time to turn the page.
It was fair to wonder how much interest Pacheco was going to be able to garner after two underwhelming seasons. Despite that, the Detroit Lions didn't hesitate to sign him to a one-year, $1.8 million contract to replace former RB2 David Montgomery, who was traded to the Houston Texans.
Even though Pacheco hasn't played a snap yet, his new team is already singing his praises.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes recently spoke with Lions Collective and shared his thoughts on adding the former Chiefs RB. It was odd to hear a decision-maker praise a minor signing so profusely; however, it made it clear that the Lions value Pacheco beyond being a low-dollar veteran signing.
"Just the way (Pacheco) runs, man. He runs with urgency, he runs with toughness. Every time I've watched him, when we've played him in the past, we've been so much of a fan of just the juice that he brings... He was another one that we're kind of looking at and it's like, 'would love to have him, but not sure if we're going to be able to make this work."Brad Holmes, Lions GM
The fact that Holmes and the Lions are this happy about landing the former Chief is a huge win for Pacheco. It speaks to a team that is overlooking the fact that he has been on the downturn since injuries derailed his career as the Chiefs' starting backfield option.
Isiah Pacheco's Post-Chiefs Life Is Already Looking Up
For Pacheco, the back obviously made the right decision in the fact that Detroit is so overjoyed to have him as a secondary option. He's going to be the RB2 behind Jahmyr Gibbs, who will offer Pacheco more breathing room than he was afforded in Kansas City.
The ex-Chief is going to be given a chance to contribute, judging by the fact that Montgomery had 158 rushes in this role in 2025 and 185 attempts the season before. While Pacheco might not take this heavy of a workload until he proves himself capable, the opportunity should be there — especially with Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing loving to run the ball.
Although the 2025 season wasn't much to write about, it was in 2023 and 2024 when Petzing was the Arizona Cardinals' OC and helped them average the fourth- and seventh-most rushing yards per game, respectively.
Looking from Kansas City's perspective, it is easy to pull for the two-time Super Bowl Champion, hoping that this is the start of putting his career back on track. Pacheco clearly gave the Chiefs his best effort, but injuries piled up, and eventually, all good things must end. He didn't do anything wrong; he just needed a fresh start.
It'll be interesting to see what Pacheco has left in the tank in September. Perhaps being removed from Kansas City and having a chance at a fresh start is exactly what the 27-year-old RB needed. Unfortunately, Chiefs fans won't get to see their former running back up close unless it's in the Super Bowl, as the Lions aren't on the 2026 schedule.
Regardless, it's great to see that Pacheco's outlook is already looking up after it couldn't get much lower.