Concerning Update for Lions Fans as ESPN Analyst Rips Into Isiah Pacheco
October 19, 2025: Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco 10 arrives before an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. /CSM Kansas City United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251019_zma_c04_012 Copyright: xDavidxSmithx
October 19, 2025: Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco 10 arrives before an NFL, American Football Herren, USA football game against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. /CSM Kansas City United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251019_zma_c04_012 Copyright: xDavidxSmithx
Days after Detroit had added Isiah Pacheco to bolster its backfield, a sharp critique from an ESPN analyst has sparked debate across the NFL world.
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller, appearing on MLive’s Dungeon of Doom podcast, shared a disappointing review of having the veteran ball-carrier on the roster, indicating that the Detroit Lions’ reliance on his name value could be a significant misjudgment.
"It's wild to me the name, the recognition he has versus the production that he brings," Miller said. "And since he got hurt like a year and a half ago, he has not been the same player. He's not fast, he's not explosive... Good luck with that."
For the fans who hoped Pacheco would bring the power to complement Jahmyr Gibbs’ speed, Miller’s take was a cold shower: he believes "wall" has been hit.
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 14: Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco 10 during a run in the first quarter of an NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 14, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 14 Chargers at Chiefs EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2512140433
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 14: Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco 10 during a run in the first quarter of an NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs on December 14, 2025 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire NFL: DEC 14 Chargers at Chiefs EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2512140433
Pacheco’s arrival at Detroit comes after a mixed final stretch with the Kansas City Chiefs. Once known for his explosive, hard-nosed running during Kansas City’s Super Bowl runs, his recent seasons have been far less convincing.
A Look at Isiah Pacheco's Status Says a Lot About Detroit's Plans
Miller's concerns are valid. Pacheco inched close to 1,000 rushing yards in the 2023 season. Even at such an early stage, the RB had been injured some times. But after breaking his leg in 2024 and missing a lot of time, Pacheco has not been able to get back up to that level.
The Chiefs have not had a good rushing attack in the past two seasons, but Pacheco has not even crossed the 500-yard mark since he came back from the injury. Detroit, on the other hand, has a star in Jahmyr Gibbs. But it doesn't seem likely that Pacheco will be making a splash this season. And his health remains a major concern.
Pacheco is also on a one-year contract with Detroit, meaning that he is an expendable player for the team. If he disappoints in 2026, Detroit can part ways with him easily. That means Detroit will be looking at the draft for one more RB, since the depth chart beyond Isiah Pacheco is thin.
Detroit is in a weird place with Pacheco, because they can't do away with him even if he ends up being a bust signing.
What do you think of Isiah Pacheco's chances on the team? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Debanjali Rakshit
Edited by
Afreen Kabir