![Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) points after picking up a first down during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_38,w_6000,h_3375/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/220/01k6zqa96dphahjme25s.jpg "Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) points after picking up a first down during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Kansas City Chiefs 31-28. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
Through the first four weeks of the season, the Kansas City Chiefs' running game looked lifeless. They lacked the explosiveness and hunger Isiah Pacheco often brought to the table, and that took a big toll on the offense.
Fortunately, despite the 31-28 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pacheco showed some signs of life. He showed better vision, more patience, and ran with his signature angry and physical style. That might've been enough to pump the brakes on a potential trade.
Isiah Pacheco Might Still Have Something Left in The Tank
At first glance, Pacheco's numbers don't jump off the page. He only had seven carries for 36 yards. However, he had some crucial first downs, averaged a season-high 5.1 yards per carry, and was even a factor in the passing game, hauling in three receptions for 20 yards.
Once again, Patrick Mahomes led the team in rushing yards (60 yards on six carries), which is far from ideal. Also, Kareem Hunt got the goal-line carries again, scoring two touchdowns and running for 49 yards on seven carries. However, 33 of those yards came in one run, so it's not like he was more efficient than his teammate.
The Chiefs utilized rookie RB Brashard Smith mostly for passing downs, as he had just one carry for four yards to go along with three receptions, on as many targets, for 32 yards. As a whole, the Chiefs posted 158 rushing yards, nearly four yards more than their season average.
Pacheco played a season-high 63 percent of the team's offensive snaps (40), and he clearly benefited from the extended run. He's someone who needs to be involved to get his legs under him, and while Pacheco hadn't made the most of the opportunities this season, he certainly looked closer to his older self in Week 5.
For most of the season, Chiefs fans and analysts pointed to Pacheco's regression serving as one of the main reasons behind the team's offensive miscues. As such, they tied the Chiefs to trades for De'Von Achane, Alvin Kamara, and Breece Hall, among others.
Then again, if the Chiefs still believe Pacheco can hold down the fort and be the same tackle-breaking machine he was earlier in his career, they should get him more involved in the next couple of weeks to see if he's still got something left in the tank. If not, they can't afford to rest on their laurels, and they will have to make a move.