The Kansas City Chiefs revamped their rushing attack this offseason, and a key move was letting Isiah Pacheco leave in free agency. Pacheco may have welcomed the move as the writing was on the wall regarding his departure late in the season, and he got a fresh start after signing with the Detroit Lions.
The Lions needed a running back after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans this offseason, and Pacheco appears to fit the bill.
His physical running style suited him well, racking up 2,537 yards and 14 touchdowns over four seasons with the Chiefs. He seems like he'll fit in with the Lions, who have been one of the most successful teams in the NFL running the ball, ranking fifth in rushing yards (10,905) since head coach Dan Campbell was hired in 2021.
To the naked eye, Detroit is a solid landing spot for Pacheco as he’ll ride shotgun with Jahmyr Gibbs. But several other factors make the grass a little less green as Pacheco looks to find his footing in The Motor City.
Isiah Pacheco Joining Lions Isn't All Roses
The first issue that Pacheco will have to deal with in Detroit is the state of their offense.
The Lions have been one of the league’s most high-octane offenses in the NFL in Campbell’s tenure, ranking third in points scored (2,284). But their rhythm has taken a hit since ex-offensive coordinator Ben Johnson left to become the head coach of the Chicago Bears following the 2024 season.
Last year, the issues came to a head when former OC John Morton first had his playcalling duties revoked by Campbell and was fired after one season in Detroit. While new OC Drew Petzing helped the Arizona Cardinals rank fourth and seventh in rushing offense in his first two seasons, they ranked 31st last season.
The Cardinals also ranked no higher than 11th in total offense and 12th in scoring during his tenure, and it’s unknown if he’ll be an upgrade after Morton floundered last season.
That isn't the only reason Pacheco could be in trouble.
Detroit’s offensive line was also in flux last season after Frank Ragnow retired last summer, and while they filled that hole with free-agent addition Cade Mays, they created another one when they released longtime left tackle Taylor Decker. A potential position switch for Penei Sewell could help the problem, but the Lions are likely to start either free-agent pickup Larry Borom or a rookie at right tackle, giving them a problem to fix before the season begins.
The situation was so dire that there was a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Montgomery requested a trade. While Montgomery initially laughed at the rumor on social media, he was traded to the Texans the following day, hinting that something was off in Detroit.
Chiefs Fans Know Pacheco's Best Days Are Behind Him
Similarly, Chiefs fans have felt something off with Pacheco for a while.
While he got off to a fast start to his career, a fractured fibula early in the 2024 season sapped his explosiveness. According to Pro Football Focus, Pacheco has just two “breakaway runs” (defined as designed runs of 15 yards or more) over the past two seasons, and his efficiency plummeted to 3.8 yards per carry after averaging 4.7 yards over the first two years of his career.
There’s a good chance the Lions know this based on the small contract Pacheco signed, and it points toward the Lions taking a running back in the upcoming draft. While it is not a strong class, Pacheco established a low bar during his time with the Chiefs and may be a house of cards for a young back to topple.
Put it all together, and Pacheco may have been best served sticking around Kansas City, even though the option was unlikely to be on the table following his decline. Even playing second fiddle behind Kenneth Walker III could've been a better time than the headache that's seemingly awaiting him in Detroit.
Pacheco could find himself in a similar situation this time one year from now, leaving time to tell if his time with the Lions will be what he had envisioned when he signed on the dotted line. Or if he'll realize that the grass was always greener in Kansas City this entire time.