The Detroit Lions have agreed to a deal with Isiah Pacheco, according to a source speaking to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This move gives the team a new running back to pair with Jahmyr Gibbs.
Pacheco will fill the void left by David Montgomery’s trade to the Houston Texans last week.
Pacheco’s Time with the Chiefs
Pacheco, 27, played for the Kansas City Chiefs for much of the past four seasons. In 13 games last season, Pacheco finished with 462 rushing yards and two total touchdowns.
Kansas City reached agreement on a deal with Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to become their new lead running back. Pacheco was selected by the Chiefs with the 251st pick in the 2022 draft.
Early in his time with Kansas City, Pacheco became a pivotal member of one of the franchise’s most impressive draft classes. Midway through his rookie season, Pacheco earned the starting role over Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who was the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 2020.
Super Bowl Success and Injury Setback
Pacheco’s tenacious rushing style helped the Chiefs win two consecutive Super Bowls. This helped the franchise become the league’s newest dynasty.
However, a turning point in Pacheco’s career occurred in Week 2 of the 2024 season. He didn’t finish the game after he broke the fibula in his right leg, an injury that forced him to miss 10 games.
Since then, he hasn’t been as dynamic and explosive as he was during the 2023 season, when generated a career-high 935 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns. Last season, Pacheco, who was in the final year of his rookie contract, didn’t have a single rushing attempt in which he gained 20 or more yards.
Tim Hasselbeck reacted to the Lions releasing left tackle Taylor Decker.