The Kansas City Chiefs' biggest offensive issue, not just in 2025 but for going on four years during the Patrick Mahomes era, is failing to put a legitimate running game in place to support the three-time Super Bowl champion. General manager Brett Veach did a masterful job addressing the situation this offseason, though.
He added reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III on a three-year deal, brought in veteran Emari Demercado on a cheap one-year try, and drafted Nebraska star Emmett Johnson in the fifth round of this years draft, who is already impressing coaches in OTAs.
These additions were necessary after KC parted ways with both Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, making way for new blood and hopefully better play at an important position. Hunt remains a free agent, while Pacheco signed with the Detroit Lions on a rather cheap one-year, $1.8 million contract.
The lack of big-time money for Pacheco proves just how poor he has played recently and also brings up questions about how much playing time he'll actually see, being shadowed behind one of the most explosive backs in the league, Jahmyr Gibbs.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell already pouring cold water on big Isiah Pacheco year
In a recent press conference, Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke very highly of Gibbs, saying, "He's gonna be our bellcow now. ... We're gonna hang our hat on him quite a bit." These words were clear and poignant from Detroit's lead man. The Lions see Gibbs as a superstar in this league, and rightfully so. His production far outweighs anything Pacheco has ever done, and he always seems to be in good health.
Chiefs fans will too easily remember how poorly Pacheco played, particularly in 2025, as he faced a multitude of small nicks and bruises, but seriously lacked any explosiveness with the ball in his hands, was a non-factor in the passing game, and his poor vision left many baffled.
It's not much of a surprise to hear that Pacheco may see reduced time, but it does speak to the fact that the RB room in Kansas City for far too long has been toward the bottom of the league, and adding proven talent across the board will boost this offense to new heights. Wide receiver remains a concern, but perhaps the Chiefs plan to lean more on the running game, take pressure off of Mahomes, and threaten more defenses in a multitude of ways.
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