Just four years ago, it seemed like the Kansas City Chiefs had landed a massive steal when they took Rutgers star Isiah Pacheco with the No. 251 pick. Pacheco's angry and physical running style made him a fan favorite right out of the gate. He played a huge role as a rookie, ultimately becoming the starter and looking like the team's solution at the position.
Fast forward to today, and Pacheco looks like an obvious candidate to part ways with. He's in the final season of his rookie contract, and his slow start to the 2025 NFL season hasn't given the Chiefs any reason to keep him around for the long haul.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco's Latest Blunder Was Impossible to Ignore
Pacheco's miscues may have reached a new low in Week 3 (h/t @geoffschwartz). He turned the wrong way and ran the wrong direction when quarterback Patrick Mahomes tried to hit him with a screen pass. Mahomes then had to chase down the ball and dive on top of it to prevent a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
All in all, Pacheco still led the team with 45 rushing yards on 10 carries, but watching him split touches with Kareem Hunt, who's four years older than him, speaks volumes about the lack of confidence the coaching staff has in him right now. The fourth-year RB didn't get a goal-line carry, either.
For the season, the former seventh-round selection has rushed for 92 yards on 25 carries, adding four receptions for 13 yards. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry and a grand total of 30.7 rushing yards per game. His 54.2 rushing grade is also dead-last among 41 eligible runners on Pro Football Focus.
Pacheco has clearly lost a step after his gruesome leg injury, but more importantly, he has also lost his hard-hitting and aggressive running nature. There's little use for him if he's not giving the team that type of edge.
Even when Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice are back out there, the Chiefs will still need to establish the run, and they might not have the right personnel to do so. That's why they will have to stay active in the trade market.
With 0-3 starts to the season, they could look at the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, and New Orleans Saints to inquire about Breece Hall, DeVon Achane, and Alvin Kamara, respectively. Whatever the case, one thing's for sure: Barring a shocking turn of events, this might be the end of the road for Pacheco in Kansas City unless he flips the script soon.