Isiah Pacheco was on a two-year breakout entering last season. He accumulated 1,765 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns in those two campaigns, setting up for a big third year.
However, the Kansas City Chiefs starting running back suffered a leg injury in Week 2 that would cause him to miss over two months. Once he came back, he was not quite the same.
Pacheco only rushed for 310 yards, totaling a single touchdown and never cracking more than 55 yards on the ground in a game. Such a frustrating setback can be dangerous for a player in the NFL, especially at running back where most players are viewed as replaceable.
However, it appears perfectly clear the Chiefs are committed - in actions and in words - to keeping Pacheco behind Patrick Mahomes as the clear No. 1 ballcarrier. They return Kareem Hunt and have signed Elijah Mitchell, but the age in injury concerns for both make their projected impact for 2025 hard to predict.
Already encountering change elsewhere, finding some consistency in their starting running back will be key.
Kansas City has added pieces to their offensive line, bringing in Jaylon Moore before drafting Josh Simmons. Simmons' versatility on the line could mean Moore moves to another spot and replaces another current starter.
At receiver, Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy are hampered by injury and off-the-field troubles that could influence their regular season impact. Two of Patrick Mahomes' top targets could be missing time and the best of his career, Travis Kelce, has one foot out the door with retirement on the horizon.
Given all these moving parts, not even to mention the natural changes occurring on the defensive side, it is important to find stability where applicable. In this case, Pacheco checks that box.
Kansas City will want to see those numbers go up and frankly the injury may have subdued his efforts entirely upon his return. Regardless, Pacheco gets a prime opportunity in year four to carry on the success he found in his first couple seasons.
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