Lions GM Reveals Untold Dan Campbell Insight Over Isiah Pacheco
Dan Campbell and Isiah Pacheco/Images via Imago
Dan Campbell and Isiah Pacheco/Images via Imago
With David Montgomery now with the Houston Texans, the Detroit Lions landed Isiah Pacheco to replace the “knuckles” for the “sonic” Jahmyr Gibbs.
Ahead of the 2026 NFL season, general manager Brad Holmes spoke on Sirius XM's NFL Radio Friday and shared an untold insight about Isiah Pacheco from head coach Dan Campbell’s point of view, per Christian Booher of the Detroit Lions on SI.
“Getting Pacheco, me, and Dan have always been big fans of Pacheco. It is his mindset and intent in how he runs. It’s hard to get yards in this league, and those holes close up quick," Holmes said.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine Feb 25, 2025 Indianapolis, IN, USA Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Indianapolis Scouting Combine Indiana United States, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250225_jhp_al2_0352
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Scouting Combine Feb 25, 2025 Indianapolis, IN, USA Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Indianapolis Scouting Combine Indiana United States, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKirbyxLeex 20250225_jhp_al2_0352
Head coach Dan Campbell has built the Detroit Lions environment on “GRIT”. And Pacheco is the perfect fit for him.
The Super Bowl running back is known for his explosive running style, high-energy play, and early career success with the Kansas City Chiefs.
During 2026 NFL free agency, the Lions signed on a one-year stint at $1.8M, per Spotrac.
“...I think he’s gonna be a really good compliment,” Holmes said during the interview. “Always been a fan from afar and just loved how he runs as soon as he’s been in the league. And we don’t expect anything different, being a really good compliment to Jahmyr.”
With the departure of David Montgomery during free agency, the Lions signed Pacheco to fill in the void to complement Gibbs.
Coming out of a season injury (broken fibula in 2024) in 2025, Pacheco appeared in 13 games.
He forced 13 missed tackles as a runner while covering 462 yards.
However, his efficiency dropped from a career average of 4.7 YPC to 3.9 YPC in 2025 due to his injuries.
But his 2.8 yards after contact per attempt remained a high mark, showcasing that he maintained his "angry" running style even while recovering.
Pacheco continued running with the same downhill aggression that made him one of the league’s most physical backs early in his career, a trait the Lions clearly value heading into 2026.
Isiah Pacheco explains why Dan Campbell fits his mindset
It is not just Dan Campbell or Brad Holmes, but Isiah Pacheco has also reciprocated the zeal of playing under the “GRIT” of the Detroit Lions.
From the moment Pacheco arrived at the Lions facility, his energy immediately matched the tone Campbell has pushed since taking over the franchise.
“Football is my heart,” Pacheco said. “I love it. I bleed it. I would die for this [expletive]. It sounds crazy.”
That mentality is exactly why the Lions viewed him as a natural fit alongside Jahmyr Gibbs after the departure of David Montgomery.
Pacheco’s excitement about joining Detroit became even more obvious during his interaction with Campbell.
“Ahhh, let’s [expletive] go!” Pacheco roared. “I’m ready to go! Put me in!”
Campbell quickly matched that energy.
“Oh, yeah, Pacheco, what number are you going to wear?” Campbell responded. “Are you going with No. 10?”
Pacheco yelled back again.
“[Expletive] right!” he bellowed. “Let’s go! I’m on my way! I’m coming home!”
The exchange perfectly captured why Detroit believes Pacheco fits the Lions’ aggressive, emotional football identity heading into 2026.
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Written by
Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason