“There were a lot of teams, (and) I had eight opportunities to go to different teams. Kansas City was one of them,” Pacheco said during his introductory press conference in Detroit.

“Once they made that move (signing Kenneth Walker III), I knew that I had to open up the door to go somewhere else. This (Lions) was the first place I thought of.”

Pacheco’s experience with Chiefs before Lions move

The Chiefs handed a big contract to Walker, who hit free agency after winning Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks. After that, Pacheco signed a one-year, $1.81 million fully guaranteed deal to join the Lions.

Pacheco is coming off a lackluster season with the Chiefs, recording just 462 yards while averaging 35 rushing yards per game and 3.9 per carry in 2025. However, his past performances make him an interesting fit for Detroit.

In 2023, Pacheco racked up 935 rushing yards for seven touchdowns, improving his numbers from a promising rookie year in 2022 (830 rushing yards for five touchdowns).

Pacheco boosts Lions RB room

A key contributor to two Super Bowl wins in Kansas City, Pacheco is bringing championship experience to a Lions team that needed depth in the RB room after trading David Montgomery to the Houston Texans.

He’ll be the second running back on the depth chart behind Jahmyr Gibbs, a player Pacheco is looking forward to playing with.

“Jahmyr is a hell of a player,” Pacheco said. “Hats off to him and the guys who have been putting in work here for a couple years now.

“Me looking from the outside in, it’s a hell of a group, and whatever I can do to contribute to the team is going to happen. Whether that’s punting the ball, whatever it’s at, no matter where I’m at on the field, cheering the guys on, bringing excitement to the team, bringing leadership, accountability.”

Pacheco felt it was time to leave Kansas City

Pacheco could’ve stayed in Kansas City, but with Walker arriving to take the RB1 role, he may have faced bigger competition with Brashard Smith entering his second year in the league. Besides, the Chiefs can still bring back Kareem Hunt.

Perhaps a change of scenery is what he needed at this point in his young career. Detroit wants to get over the hump, and Pacheco could play a role in helping Dan Campbell lead the Lions to a long-awaited Super Bowl.

Pacheco will likely serve as the short-yardage and power-back option in a running back room that is led by star Jahmyr Gibbs. In addition to “Sonic”—who recently bid farewell to “Knuckles”—, the Lions‘ HB depth chart includes Jacob Saylors, Sione Vaki, and Kye Robichaux, per ourlads.com.

As for the Chiefs, they can afford to lose Pacheco as Kenneth Walker’s arrival provides a big boost to their updated depth chart. In addition to Walker, Kansas City’s room features Brashard Smith and restricted free agent Keaontay Ingram. Whether Kareem Hunt—an UFA—is brought back, remains to be seen.

Pacheco is coming off a down year in 2025

Pacheco took the NFL by storm upon arrival. Winning back-to-back Super Bowls with the Chiefs in his first two seasons, it seemed like he was destined to be one of the best tailbacks of this generation. However, his production took a bump in the 2025 campaign.

Last season, Pacheco registered just 563 total yards (462 rushing and 101 receiving). It was the second-lowest total of his NFL career, only ahead of his 2024 output. However, during that campaign, Pacheco missed 10 games due to injury.

In 2025, he missed four games, marking the third straight season he has been sidelined at some point. His downward-trending yardage and injury concerns help explain why the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t hand him a contract extension.

Pacheco can be key piece for Lions

As for the Lions, they needed someone to share the backfield with Gibbs. Not because the product out of the University of Alabama needs help whatsoever, but because he needs the occasional breather. If the NFL were a video game and Detroit could simply turn off injuries, Gibbs would likely be on the field for every offensive snap in Motown.

Moreover, Pacheco and Gibbs may hit it off right from the start as Pacheco’s “angry run” playing style is similar to Montgomery’s, which opens up the gaps for Gibbs to pace through with his unparalleled speed. It seems Dan Campbell has found his bread and butter when it comes to the ground game, and Pacheco’s signing only confirms it.

Running back Isiah Pacheco is hitting unrestricted free agency, and Jesse Newell of The Athletic reports that he is considered “likely” to join another NFL team in the open market.

Pacheco, who turns 27 in March, is free to explore his options for 2026 as his rookie deal expired last season. Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Rutgers, he’s been a key member of the Chiefs RB room, contributing to two Super Bowl victories.

Isiah Pacheco might be heading for Chiefs exit

That said, injuries stood in his way in the last two years, and 2025 was particularly tough for the Chiefs’ running game. Kareem Hunt led the team with only 611 rushing yards, followed by Pacheco with just 462 and Mahomes with 422.

The fact that the quarterback produced almost the same numbers as the starting running back speaks for itself. While it shows how much danger Mahomes can produce with his legs, it also proves that Pacheco had a bad year.

We’re still talking about a player who helped Reid and Mahomes win the Super Bowl in 2023 and 2024, which is why thinking about a change might be difficult. And even after a poor 2025, his name will still draw interest in free agency, along with other Chiefs players out of contract.

How the Chiefs could replace Pacheco

We’ll have to wait and see whether the Chiefs make an effort to bring him back, or if Pacheco seeks a bigger contract elsewhere. Either way, Reid and Mahomes will have options to bring a new running back if needed.

Free agency will allow the Chiefs to entertain the idea of pursuing a big name, with the likes of Kenneth Walker III, Breece Hall, and Travis Etienne running out of contract. The 2026 NFL Draft could also provide an opportunity to take a new prospect at the position, just like they did with Pacheco in 2022.

In a recent conversation with the media, the coach delivered good news to his quarterback. Although he is still recovering from a knee injury, all signs indicate that the running back will be able to play at AT&T Stadium.

“We’ll see how he does today. But we’ll get him in there. He’ll play,” Charles Goldman reported via his official X account. This is a significant upgrade for the Chiefs’ offense as they look to maintain their winning streak.

Pacheco has been one of the most indispensable pieces of this team, thanks to the explosiveness he brings to the ground game. His presence in Arlington will give Reid’s squad an important boost.

A long-awaited return

The Kansas City Chiefs are highly anticipating the return of starting running back Isiah Pacheco, who is targeting a return to the lineup for the crucial Thanksgiving Day road game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Pacheco has been sidelined since Week 8 with an MCL sprain in his right knee, and his comeback is expected to provide a significant boost to a Chiefs offense that has struggled to find consistency on the ground in his absence.

With the veteran back trending positively, as evidenced by his recent listing as a full practice participant, his return is vital for Kansas City as they seek to re-establish a reliable rushing attack and take pressure off the passing game in the final stretch of the season.

What’s next for the Chiefs?

The Chiefs face a demanding and high-profile slate of games as they fight for playoff positioning in the AFC West. Their crucial stretch begins with a massive national audience when they travel to face the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.

Following that challenging road test, the Chiefs return home to Arrowhead for two consecutive games: first, a prime-time clash against the Houston Texans, and then a critical AFC West showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, a rivalry game that could have significant implications for the division race and the Wild Card picture.

Former Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce has signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He will be placed on the team’s practice squad at first. Pierce had over 1,1000 scrimmage yards during his rookie season.

After that, the running back lost all his spotlight. Now, the Chiefs need him bad. Pacheco has missed three-straight games with an MCL sprain. Backup Kareem Hunt isn’t able to have all the workload by himself and rookie Brashard Smith is still not doing enough to convince Andy Reid and the coaching staff.

Dameon Pierce brings two different dynamics to the Chiefs

The Chiefs have used Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Smith and Elijah Mitchell ineffectively. Hence, Pierce, who had no snaps for Houston lately, could absolutely provide some speed.

Pierce has also worked as a returner and a pretty good one actually. As a matter of fact, he has returns of 98 and 80 yards already in his career. Right now, the Chiefs need any possible impact on offense they can get, so Pierce is a welcomed addition.

Pierce has the chance to revive his career

Pierce is one of the weirdest cases in recent memory. After a stellar rookie season, he just disappeared from the Texans‘ main weapons menu. He slipped and slipped until he was not a part of the Texans’ plans anymore.

At only 25 years old, Pierce still has time to develop once again into a productive player. In Andy Reid‘s offense, with Patrick Mahomes as the team’s quarterback, Pierce will have the best opportunity to create buzz around his name once again.

In the 2025 NFL season, the Chiefs have struggled to establish a consistent running game. Isiah Pacheco and Patrick Mahomes — yes, the quarterback — are currently the team’s rushing leaders, but they’ve now faced a major setback.

The Chiefs have confirmed that Pacheco will miss Week 9. This loss has prompted the club to make changes to its running back depth chart, as an old friend will return to the team this Sunday.

Chiefs add Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the 53-man roster

Isiah Pacheco is listed as the Chiefs’ starting running back. Unfortunately, injuries have had a big impact on him recently, and he couldn’t avoid another one in the 2025 season.

The former Rutgers standout is out for the Week 9 game against the Bills due to a knee issue. It’s a significant loss for Kansas City, but head coach Andy Reid has activated an emergency plan.

On Saturday, the Chiefs announced that Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Still, Kareem Hunt is expected to step up as RB1 during Pacheco’s absence.

Edwards-Helaire, a first-round pick in 2020, helped the Chiefs win two Super Bowl titles. He signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2024 as a free agent but played only two games there before returning to Kansas City last August.

How does the Chiefs’ depth chart at running back look for Week 9?

With Isiah Pacheco out, Kareem Hunt is expected to take most of the snaps as the lead running back. His numbers haven’t been great, as he has rushed for 245 yards — 35 fewer than Patrick Mahomes.

Behind Hunt are Brashard Smith, Elijah Mitchell, and now Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The latter is currently listed as the team’s RB4, but his experience could quickly elevate him in the rotation on Sunday.

“We’ve got some other guys too who can make plays… I’m prepared for whatever I’m asked to do,” Hunt told reporters on Wednesday, as quoted by Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports.

After taking a scary hit on his right knee during the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ Monday night win over the Washington Commanders, Pacheco is considered “week-to-week” with an MCL sprain.

This leaves his status for Week 9 up in the air, making the Chiefs look at a scenario where they potentially miss Pacheco to visit Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. But according to Hunt, Reid and Mahomes can trust in the rest of the Chiefs’ RB room.

Hunt has already proven the Chiefs he can replace Pacheco

While losing Pacheco would certainly be a huge blow for the Chiefs’ offense, it wouldn’t be an uprecedented situation for Reid and Mahomes. Kansas City went through something similar—but worse—last year, when a fractured fibula forced Pacheco to miss multiple games in the 2024 NFL season.

It was an early challenge for the Chiefs, yet they responded incredibly well. Pacheco’s injury led to the team bringing back Kareem Hunt, who shined in his return to Kansas City after spending time with the Cleveland Browns.

Hunt led the Chiefs in carries (200), rushing yards (728), and rushing touchdowns (7) in 2024, proving to be a dependable weapon for Reid and Mahomes. When Pacheco recovered, the team knew it had a solid duo of running backs.

In 2025, the Chiefs have primarily relied on Pacheco to run the ball, with the Rutgers product leading the way in carries (78) and rushing yards (329). Hunt, however, has also had his fair share of snaps with 62 carries for 245 yards and four touchdowns. Besides, the veteran RB has rushed for more first downs than any other Chiefs player so far (23).

Hunt isn’t underestimating the Bills’ defense

With Pacheco’s return date unclear, the Chiefs may need to turn to Hunt just like they did in 2024. His performance has been encouraging thus far, so Reid and Mahomes should have no reason for concern.

Besides, the Bills’ defense has been struggling on the ground, allowing 1,052 rushing yards and 150.3 rushing yards per game in the 2025 NFL season. This could set up the perfect situation for Hunt to rise to the occasion.

Still, Hunt isn’t underestimating their opponents, who showed an improvement in their recent 40-9 win over the Carolina Panthers: “I know it’s going to be like a playoff atmosphere… we’re going to have to really lock in and be on the same page.”

Who else could get more reps in KC apart from Hunt?

Besides Hunt, the Chiefs could give more playing time to free agent signing Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith in the event Pacheco stays on the sidelines. The practice squad includes fullback Carson Steele, who got plenty of reps before Hunt’s return in 2024, and former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who hasn’t suited up in a while.

Hunt believes the Chiefs are in good hands despite Pacheco’s setback, but with the November 4 trade deadline getting close, Sunday could represent a huge test to the strength of Kansas City’s RB depth.

On Tuesday, the head coach and quarterback received a concerning update on the star running back, whose return date remains unclear. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Pacheco is considered “week-to-week with an MCL sprain.”

While the uncertainty surrounding his return date is far from ideal, at least the Chiefs aren’t looking at a long-term injury here. An ACL injury would’ve kept Pacheco on the sidelines for longer, so at least Reid and Mahomes know their star RB probably won’t miss significant time.

The hit that injured Isiah Pacheco on Monday

Pacheco suffered a scary hit on his right knee when tackled by a Commanders defender during the fourth quarter, which forced him to exit the field. It didn’t take a toll on the result thought, and neither on his morale.

The running back immediately looked in high spirits regardless of the hit, getting back on his feet and clapping after being checked by the Chiefs doctors on the sideline.

What are the Chiefs’ next games after Pacheco’s injury?

Pacheco’s injury doesn’t come in great timing for the Chiefs, with a challenging road game upon them. On Sunday, Kansas City will travel to Buffalo to play Josh Allen and the Bills in Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season.

Needless to say, Reid and Mahomes hope to count on Pacheco for what could be an early test to their championship aspirations. In the event Pacheco doesn’t make it on time for the Bills game, at least he’ll have an extra week to recover without missing another game as the Chiefs will rest in Week 10 before visiting the Denver Broncos on November 16.

Injury threatens Pacheco’s momentum, but Chiefs already experienced this

Pacheco led the Chiefs in rushing on Monday with 12 carries for 58 yards before getting injured, improving his stats to 78 carries for 329 yards in the 2025 NFL season, where he boasts one touchdown.

His absence would definitely be a huge blow for Reid and Mahomes, though the Chiefs seem prepared to operate without him. Kansas City learned how to play without Pacheco when he got injured early last year, so this wouldn’t be exactly a new scenario at Arrowhead.

Chiefs’ RB depth chart: Who are options behind Pacheco?

Kareem Hunt, who returned to KC last year after Pacheco’s injury, has made such an impression in his second stint with the franchise that he remains a key member of the Chiefs’ RB room, with 62 carries for 245 yards and four touchdowns in 2025.

Behind Hunt, Reid also counts on rookie Brashard Smith, whose snaps could increase should Pacheco stay on the sidelines. Elijah Mitchell, who arrived in free agency from the San Francisco 49ers, could also see an increased role.

The Chiefs’ practice squad also includes fullback Carson Steele, who played running back during Pacheco’s injury early in 2024, and former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

NFL trade deadline date drawing nearer

Whether Reid deems these options enough to replace Pacheco remains to be seen. Since we’re not talking about a serious injury, chances are that the Chiefs’ RB room remains untouched.

However, with the 2025 NFL trade deadline approaching, Kansas City will still have a chance to add at the position. NFL teams will have until November 4 at 4 PM (ET) to make trades.

According to the Chiefs head coach, running back Isiah Pacheco will bounce back from a challenging year, where he dealt with an early injury, by delivering a stronger performance next season. A similar feeling to the one he has with Kelce.

“I think he’ll be even better this year,” Reid said of Pacheco on Monday morning at the NFL annual meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, via The Kansas City Star. “He was forcing that thing coming back.”

A challenging 2024 season for Pacheco

Pacheco fractured his fibula in Week 2 and spent time on Injured Reserve, missing up to nine games. During his absence, the Chiefs brought back Kareem Hunt, and the veteran RB settled in perfectly.

Pacheco came back for the final stretch of the 2024 NFL regular season and playoffs, but his production wasn’t the same. The 2022 seventh-round pick racked up just 310 yards and a touchdown on 83 carries over six regular-season games, recording a career-low 3.7 yards per carry.

Reid, however, made it clear that the team didn’t rush his return. The Chiefs head coach explained that, while Pacheco was fully cleared to come back, the injury still took a toll on him.

“He was physically ok to go,” Reid said. “But when you’re looking at [the film], it’s minute stuff — just maybe that ability to cut as quick as he did before. Now it’s still quick, but you’re talking inches here. Was it what he could do before? Well, it wasn’t.”

Pacheco’s attitude a great sign for Reid

Either way, Reid appreciated Pacheco’s toughness throughout the year. In fact, it’s that mental fortitude that makes him predict a big comeback season for the running back.

“Most guys probably wouldn’t have come back, but if you know him for about a minute, you’ll know that he wasn’t going to be held back,” Reid added. “He was getting better every week, and I think you’ll just see him back to what he was before.”

Pacheco wasn’t the only Chiefs player who struggled in 2024. While the likes of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Rashee Rice were also sidelined due to injuries, Kelce experienced a tough year despite being healthy. Reid, however, predicts big things both for Travis and Pacheco in 2025.

The NFL imposed a hefty fine on Mahomes’ key weapon for the running game, punishing Isiah Pacheco for Unnecessary Roughness (use of the helmet) during Kansas City’s Week 14 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

But the 25-year-old wasn’t the only Chiefs player punished by the league office. The NFL has also fined guard Trey Smith and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, also for unnecessary roughness.

Chiefs hit with three fines but Pacheco takes the hardest hit by the NFL

The fines on Smith and Smith-Schuster were much lower compared to that of Pacheco. The Chiefs running back, in fact, got the biggest penalty of the week along with Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Rachaad White ($45,020).

Smith was deducted $18,881 for use of the helmet in the fourth quarter against the Chargers. The reason for Smith-Schuster’s fine was the same, though the Chiefs wideout only had to pay $6,722 for his action in the second quarter.

This is not the first time the league office hits Reid’s Chiefs with fines in the 2024 season. The NFL even fined Mahomes a few weeks ago for “unsportsmanlike conduct,” as the league deemed a touchdown celebration as a “violent gesture.”

Speaking to reporters after the game, the Chiefs head coach made it clear that he liked what he saw from the third-year running back, who spent time on the sidelines with a fractured fibula.

“Yeah, that was great. I thought that was a positive,” Reid said, via ChiefsWire. “It was good to get (Isiah) Pacheco some reps in there. I thought he did a nice job when we had an opportunity to run.”

Despite being out for months, the Chiefs gave Pacheco significant workload on Friday. The 25-year-old had as many carries (7) as Kareem Hunt, who took over during his absence, though he posted more rushing yards (44), mostly thanks to a 34-yard run.

Reid not so happy with Chiefs’ running game vs Raiders

Kansas City didn’t run the ball that much against the Raiders though, as the team only used Hunt and Pacheco for a combined 14 running plays in Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season. Reid later explained he felt more comfortable with calling for passes.

“We weren’t doing too good with it. I felt – the way they were playing, they were bringing an extra guy. I felt like we were better off with a short passing game, which was working; we were going up and down the field,” Reid said. “We just weren’t doing very good in the red zone – we were struggling with the runs early, so that was a decision I made.”

Isiah Pacheco thanks Hunt, Reid after first game since injury

Needless to say, the 25-year-old was happy to be back on the field at Arrowhead. During his postgame press conference, Pacheco sent a clear message to Hunt and Reid now that he’s back.

“Yes, hats off to him [for] stepping up,” Pacheco said of Hunt. “It’s been a tough run. He’s been awesome leading the room. Everyone’s been following the leaders. Most importantly for me, just pinpointing details in the meeting room for when I had the opportunity to get out and show my ability. Focus on the details: the chips, the check-downs, just the little things that would make my game a little bit better today.”

Of course, the player also took a moment to share his feelings on being fully recovered: “It felt awesome just having that moment to get that contact again. I’ve been missing it. I’ve been backed up on anger, so being able to let that anger out on the field, it was a blessing.”