Every NFL contender eventually faces the same uncomfortable reality of what happens when a star goes down. For the Detroit Lions, that conversation has shifted to the running room, where confidence in the depth chart behind Jahmyr Gibbs is becoming an important topic.

During a recent discussion on the Woodward Sports Network podcast, analysts discussed the newly secured RB Isiah Pacheco and whether he can be trusted to carry the offense if Gibbs is forced to miss time during the 2026 season.

Host Jeff Lafrate said, "Do we trust Isiah Pacheco if Jahmyr Gibbs gets a concussion for two weeks and is down at some point, we've got to be comfortable with him being our RB1."

Pacheco was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round in 2022, bringing experience with him. He signed with the Lions in March as a backup running back.

He won Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII during his tenure with the Chiefs, becoming the only running back to ever both start and win two Super Bowls in his first two seasons, according to Rutger Wire.

Across his career, Pacheco recorded 576 carries for 2,537 rushing yards, which is 4.4 yards per carry.

However, his recent years have not been as successful since he was absent for nine games in 2024 because of his fractured right leg and for one whole month last year due to his MCL sprain.

Those concerns led Lafrate to question whether Detroit has enough proven depth behind Gibbs.

For Detroit, the discussion is less about Pacheco's resume and more about whether he can handle an expanded workload if Gibbs is unavailable for any stretch of the season.

While some analysts remain unsure about Pacheco's ability to carry the offense in Gibbs' absence, the veteran believes he can still make an impact in a different role with Detroit.

Can Isiah Pacheco Step Up? Detroit's Backup RB Embraces New Role

Isiah Pacheco may wear the same No. 10 jersey, but his role with the Detroit Lions is expected to be much different from what it was during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to Vito Chirco of the Detroit Lions on SI, during Day 1 of Lions minicamp, on Tuesday, Pacheco said:

“They got their own culture here, and I love being a part of it so far since I got here. It’s the grit. You got guys willing to compete every single time we get a chance.”

Entering training camp as Detroit's clear-cut No. 2 running back behind Jahmyr Gibbs, Pacheco's focus is on staying active whenever his number is called.

The former Chiefs star has embraced Detroit's culture and understands that contributing to winning can take different forms.

Whether that role expands beyond a backup role remains the question raised by Detroit analysts, particularly if the Lions are forced to rely on Pacheco for an extended stretch.

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

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Written by

Hetal Moleshri

Edited by

Rudra Dubey