The Kansas City Chiefs’ backfield has always been a bit of a rollercoaster. It's much like a tense final table at the World Series of Poker. You never know who’s holding the winning hand.
A devastating injury in 2024 left one key Chiefs player watching from the sidelines. And his future was suddenly uncertain. He limped off the field in Week 2 last year. The whole bar groaned. But Vineland’s own Isiah Pacheco never stopped revving.
Now, that same unlucky starter is poised for a remarkable comeback. Isiah Pacheco’s story might be shifting from one of misfortune to a potential tale of massive redemption. The 2025 season could see him reap rewards few saw coming after his leg fracture in 2024.
A Statistical Anomaly Ready for Correction
The numbers from 2024 tell a story of brutal luck. Hayden Winks highlighted the issue perfectly on X. He noted, "The Chiefs RBs collectively scored 10 TDs last year, but their expected TD total based on their usage was at 19.2." This made them the worst-scoring backfield versus usage in the league.
An Isiah Pacheco tweet:
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) August 24, 2025
The Chiefs RBs collectively scored 10 TDs last year, but their expected TD total based on their usage was at 19.2, making them the worst scoring backfield versus usage. Regress. Regress. Regress.
That is a staggering deficit. Essentially, the Chiefs’ rushers left nearly ten touchdowns on the field. This statistical anomaly is screaming for progression. And Pacheco is the key to unlocking that potential.
His preseason showed the burst was back. He looked crisp during the team's dress rehearsal, even punching in a goal-line TD over Kareem Hunt. That specific play is a massive signal.
It shows the coaching staff's trust in him remains high where it matters most. And that's near the end zone. This trust is his greatest asset moving forward. Brett Veach is sniffing around the trade market anyway. Still, the only back getting starter drives in August has been Pacheco.
Reid told reporters on Aug 7 his seventh-rounder had a “tremendous” offseason. Coaches rarely waste that word on guys they plan to bury. Meanwhile, the departure of third-down specialist Samaje Perine is a silent game-changer.
The Path to a Three-Down Role
The path is clear for Pacheco to operate as a true, every-down weapon for the first time. Preseason rotations suggest the Chiefs are already experimenting with this. They are keeping him on the field for entire drives. Not just specific situations. But of course, challenges remain.
Kareem Hunt is a veteran presence looming around. However, his 3.4 YPC average over the past 2 seasons doesn’t inspire confidence. There are new additions. But the likes of Elijah Mitchell and Brashard Smith have yet to prove they can handle a significant workload.
This leaves Pacheco as the undeniable lead back for Reid's roster. Fantasy drafters yawned after the injury-plagued 2024 line... 310 yards, one TD. His Round-7 ADP screams clearance rack. But the 2023 tape still shows 4.6 yards a carry behind the same shaky interior.
Pacheco's story has been a narrative of resilience. He's jumped from a seventh-round pick to a cornerstone of the O-line. And this journey mirrors the team's own underdog spirit.
So file the “unlucky” label under 2024 receipts. In 2025, Pacheco cashes them. As old Blue Eyes once crooned, “The best is yet to come, and won’t it be fine.”