Over the past two seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs have had to endure a historically explosive-less ground attack on offense. The culprit? Not the offensive line. Not by a long shot. Creed Humphrey is the best center in the game, Trey Smith is a top-tier right guard, and the rest of the positions on the o-line have been average at worst, I grant you, most of the time.
Rather, it's been the playmakers who receive the handoffs from three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes who failed to make the most of every opportunity. No one can really blame Kareem Hunt for how he looked in a Chiefs uniform over the last two years. Hunt was older, and after years of wear and tear and some off-the-field troubles, he certainly wasn't close to the same big-play threat as he once was.
But when it comes to Isiah Pacheco, well, he kind of is to blame for the lack of big plays coming from the Chiefs' backfield. The crux of the issue, I think, was the broken leg he suffered in the 2024 season. Pacheco never really looked like the same guy after. Which is why Kansas City opted to let him walk in free agency and sign a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions.
Pacheco was slated to be the new 'Knuckles' to superstar Jahmyr Gibbs' 'Sonic' after the Lions traded veteran David Montgomery. Unfortunately, Pacheco won't get the chance to even see the field, at least not until Week 5 rolls around. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the two-time Super Bowl champ was placed on IR due to a back injury. The designation signifies that Pacheco will be out for at least the first month of the season.
Kansas City proven right by letting Pacheco walk after his return to IR heading into 2026 season
It's unquestionably a tough break for Pacheco, but in a way that hopefully throws no disrespect toward him, a relief for the Chiefs that they made the right decision not to pursue him on the open market. Instead, Brett Veach focused his efforts on signing Kenneth Walker III to a three-year, $43 million contract.
Walker's impact is projected to be massive, both for what he will provide the Chiefs in the run game and through various screens and other ways to utilize his unique talents. The Chiefs no longer have to manufacture every single yard they can muster from the running back room. Not with Walker. He can make his own big plays happen.
The Chiefs also did their due diligence on adding depth behind Walker, ensuring that over the course of a long and grueling 17-game season, plus hopefully a return to the playoffs, their big-money addition can stay healthy and be a full-go when it matters most.
Fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson impressed mightily in both training camp and the preseason, earning his way not just onto the 53-man squad but essentially beating out veteran backup Emari Demercado for a roster spot. Second-year man Brashard Smith also made the roster, as his year-two improvement was noticeable in every facet of his game and, perhaps most importantly, pass blocking.
Kansas City was right to let Pacheco go. That part is even more crystal clear after his recent ailment. But what they did - not only adding better players, but also personnel on the coaching staff, with running back guru Eric Bieniemy returning as offensive coordinator and new position coach DeMarco Murray after a years-long successful stint at the University of Oklahoma should have Chiefs fans buzzing about one of the team's biggest strengths heading into 2026.
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