Detroit Lions Earn Major Praise For Isiah Pacheco Move
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
The Detroit Lions signed running back Isiah Pacheco to a one-year, prove-it deal worth $1.81 million. This move has been labeled as a highly underrated addition for the upcoming season.
Under head coach Dan Campbell and new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, Detroit decided to trade David Montgomery to the Houston Texans for offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, plus a fourth-round 2026 draft pick and a 2027 seventh-round draft pick.
"He is hopeful that the move to Detroit will also spark a new beginning for a career that has gotten off track," ESPN's NFL Nation wrote on May 22.
Isiah Pacheco suffered a fibula injury in 2024 and played in just seven games that season. Then last season, he had an MCL sprain in the right knee that kept him on the sidelines for three games.
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
"Holmes was focused on adding players this offseason, such as Pacheco, to reestablish Detroit's blue-collar identity because 'the urgency needed to be more pushed up on everything' after missing the postseason, he said during the NFL draft," ESPN's NFL Nation added.
As a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, he brings proven winning experience to Detroit.
General manager Brad Holmes and the coaching staff needed a mindset-oriented, bruising, short-yardage, and red-zone specialist.
Pacheco fits this physical role perfectly. This setup keeps their dynamic starter, Jahmyr Gibbs, fresh and fully ready for first and second downs when the field is wide open with space to run.
This shifting dynamic was obvious toward the end of last season. Gibbs clearly surpassed Montgomery as the primary weapon over the final eight games.
Isiah Pacheco Embraces The Clear No. 2 Role
Drew Petzing's passing game scheme will greatly benefit Gibbs, whose stature as a versatile starting running back just keeps growing consistently. And, Pacheco completely understands his exact spot on the depth chart.
“Jahmyr is a h*** of a player... and whatever I can do to contribute to the team is going to happen,” Pacheco stated after joining the Lions as a free agent, as reported by Michael David Smith on Pro Football Talk.
He even went on to state his hunger is higher than ever to add to his Super Bowl tally. This transition proves why the Lions traded Montgomery.
Isiah Pacheco promises to deliver maximum effort while Gibbs maintains a very strong hold on the starting job. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Nisarga Aseem Barkule
Edited by
Shubhi Rathore