Let’s take a trip back to January 21, 2023. The Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Divisional Round of the 2022-23 NFL Playoffs. Early in the game, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was felled by a high-ankle sprain when Jacksonville defensive end Arden Key landed on his right leg. With 9:59 remaining in the second quarter, former Jag Chad Henne stepped in for Mahomes and led the offense on a 98-yard drive that helped them regain control of the game. Henne’s often credited for that scoring drive, but people forget Pacheco’s 57 yards were the catalyst in that offensive possession.
Or, recall if you will Super Bowl LVII, when the Chiefs were tied 35-all with the Philadelphia Eagles, facing 3rd & 1 with 3:37 left in regulation. Pacheco took the handoff and scampered 10 yards off the left edge. Had the Chiefs failed to convert, they likely would’ve punted back to an Eagles team still holding two timeouts and the two-minute warning. That’s another overlooked Pacheco moment in Chiefs lore.
It’s easy to understand the Kingdom’s concerns with Pacheco. When he returned from injury last season, he didn’t quite look the same. Pacheco’s vision has always been a question mark, so he’s never fully realized his home-run potential. And for the first time, he wasn’t the explosive back we’d come to know. His running style has never been particularly flattering; he doesn’t have the smooth gait of a Jamaal Charles. Charles looked much faster because his running style was effortless. Pacheco is also fast—he ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine—but he often looks like he’s laboring when he runs.
As such, fans have lost faith in Pacheco. During the run-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, there was raucous debate in the Kingdom about upgrading the running back room. Right now, it’s one of the least inspiring rooms in the NFL. The group is led by Pacheco, but consists mostly of middling options (Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, Carson Steele, and intriguing rookie Brashard Smith). This year’s draft was running back rich, but the Chiefs opted to abstain until Day 3 when Smith was selected at 228. That’s a heavy bet on Pacheco returning to form, even with lingering doubts from fans.
If Isiah Pacheco is healthy—heavy on the if—I believe he’s a Top 16 back capable of being the lead dog in this offense. He’s not just a placeholder; I believe he’s still capable of producing chunk plays. Coming into his third season, he averaged 4.75 yards per carry to start his career. And while he’s rarely been used as a high-volume pass catcher, the capacity is there. He snagged 44 balls for the team in 2023. Sure, it was at a paltry 5.5 yards per reception clip, but consider the inconsistent line play that season. Overall, there’s been clear growth from Year One to Year Two for Pacheco. That’s all you can ask for from a player drafted at 251.
It’s fair to wonder if Pacheco will recover his explosiveness after fracturing his fibula early in the 2024 season. However, concerns about his overall ability are misplaced. Pacheco can play. He’s not an elite running back, but the Kansas City Chiefs don’t need him to be. This offense, with new offensive line reinforcements and a full and healthy complement of top receivers, will be one of the league’s best with Pacheco returning to his 2022-2023 form.
