The running back Isiah Pacheco is fully participating in the Detroit Lions' mini camps, preparing to contribute as the primary backup and runner behind Jahmyr Gibbs, as he signed a one-year, $1.81 million fully guaranteed contract with the Detroit Lions in free agency after leaving the Kansas City Chiefs.

During a recent football discussion on Crunch Time Sports on YouTube on June 18, analyst Jeff Iafrate questioned whether the Chiefs' RB could create the same impact that David Montgomery gave in Detroit.

"Can he(Isiah Pacheco) step up and do what D Mont (David Montgomery)did in those positions?" asked Iafrate on Crunch Sports. "Coz D Mont when Jahmyr was out. D Mont stepped up and was like, 'Oh dude, he's an RB1'"

David Montgomery(RB) holds great respect for the performance he produced whenever Detroit needed him to shoulder a heavier workload. He filled in for 2 games in 2023 when Gibbs was injured.

Montgomery owns the longest franchise streak of games with a rushing touchdown (ten) in eight consecutive games. In his 45 games with Detroit, he recorded 562 carries for 2,506 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns.

The Lions had traded Montgomery to the Houston Texans in March 2026 to clear cap space. 

Meanwhile, Pacheco has rushed for 2,537 career yards and 14 touchdowns through 2025 in 13 games with the Kansas City Chiefs.

For Pacheco, the comparison from the analyst is both flattering and challenging. He has built a reputation as an aggressive, high-energy runner who attacks defenders and sets a physical tone. His continuous running style is often praised across the league.

He became the only running back to win two Super Bowls in his first two seasons- Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII.

However, in a recent interview, Pacheco made it clear that his focus is on being ready for what may arrive anytime.

Pacheco sends strong message amid growing expectations

Isiah Pacheco entered training camp as the expected No. 2 RB behind Jahmyr Gibbs. With Montgomery not in the team, many are wondering if the former Chiefs runner can provide the same reliability.

“This game here, it takes a lot of us to win the game and not just one person," said Pacheco to the reporters via Sports Illustrated. "Everybody on the team, the staff, the coaches, nutritionists, everybody plays a part.”

According to Sports Illustrated, the veteran back is committed to helping Detroit win and believes that practice is the only way to make an impact when his number is called.

However, Pacheco will also have to fend off internal competition from depth chart backups Craig Reynolds and Zonovan Knight during training camp.

As of now, he is ready to embrace any role the Lions ask him for. While injuries held him back for the past two seasons, the Lions believe that a fresh start with Gibbs can help him regain his actual form, which made him one of the NFL's most thrilling RBs.

What are your views on Isiah Pacheco? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi